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OFFICIAL  REPORTS 

or 

GENERALS    JOHNSTON    AND    BEAUREGARD 

OF    THE 

BATTLE  OF,  MANASSAS, 

JULY  21st,   1861. 

ALSO 

OFFICIAL   REPORTS 

Of  tfie  Battle  of  I Oth  Sept.,  Brig.   Gen.  Floyd  commanding; 
Engagement  at  Oak  Hill,  Mo.,  Brig.    Gen.  Ben  McCulloch 
commanding  ;  Engagement  at  Lewinsville,  Sept.  Wth,  Col. 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart  commanding  ;  Engagement  on  Gieenbrier 
River,  Oct.  3d,  Brig.  Gen.  H.  R.  Jackson  commanding  ; 
Engagement  at  Santa  Rosa  Island,  Oct.  8th,  Maj.  Gen. 
Braxton  Bragg  commanding  ;  Engagement  at  Lees- 
burg,  Oct.  2\st  and  22d,  Brig.  Gen.  N.  G.  Evans 
commanding  ;  Bombardment  of  Forts  Walker  and 
Beauregard,  Nov.   1th,  Brig.  Gen.   Thomas  F. 
Drayton  commanding  ;  Engagement  at  Pike- 
ton,  Ky.,Col.  John  S.  Williams  commanding  ; 
Battle  in  Alleghany  Mountains,  Dec.  1  Sth, 
Col.  Edward  Johnson  commanding  ;  Bat- 
tle of  Chustcnalila/i,  which  took  place  in 
the  Cherokee   Nation,  on  the  26th  of 
Dec,    1861,    Col.   James    Mcintosh 
commanding  :    Battle  of  Belmont, 
Nov.  1th,  Isconidas  Polk,  Major- 
General  commanding. 


RICHMOND: 

ENQUIRKR     BOOK      AND     J  On     PRESS 
by  tyi.h:,  WWB,  ai.ih.uk  ,t  smith 

IMl 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  MANAS- 
SAS, JULY  21st,  1861 — J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  GENE- 
RAL COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
Fairfax  C.  H.,  October  14th,  1861. 

To  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General 

Confederate  States  Army  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  the  honorable  Secre- 
tary of  War  a  report  of  the  operations  of  the  troops  under 
my  command  which  terminated  in  the  battle  of  Manassas. 

I  assumed  command  at  Harper's  Ferry  on  the  23d  of 
May.  The  force  at  that  point  then,  consisted  of  nine  regi- 
ments and  two  battalions  of  infantry,  four  companies  of 
artillery  with  sixteen  pieces,  without  caissons,  harness  or 
horses,  and  about  three  hundred  cavalry.  They  were  of 
course  undisciplined;  several  regiments  without  accoutre- 
ments, and  with  an  entirely  inadequate  supply  of  ammuni- 
tion. 

I  lost  no  time  in  making  a  complete  reconnoisance  of  the 
place  and  its  environs,  in  which  the  Chief  Engineer,  Major 
(now  Brigadier  General)  Whiting  ably  assisted.  The  results 
confirmed  my  preconceived  ideas. 

The  position  is  untenable  by  any  force  not  strong  enough 
to  take  the  held  against  an  invading  army  and  to  hold  both 
sides  of  the  Potomac.  It  is  a  triangle,  two  Bides  being 
formed  by  the  Potomac  and  the  Shenandoah,  and  the  third 
by  Furnace  Ridge.  The  plateau  thus  enclosed,  and  the  end 
of  Furnace  Ridge  itself,  the  only  defensible  position,  which, 
however,  required  for  its  adequate  occupation  double  our 
numbers,  whs  exposed  to  enfilade  and  reverse  firea  of  artil- 
lery from  heights  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  river.  Within 
that  line,  tin-  ground  was  more  favorable  to  an  attacking  than 
to  a  defending  force.     The  Potomac  ran  be  easily  crossed  at 


many  points  above  and  below,  so  that  it  is  easily  turned. 
It  is  twenty  miles  from  the  great  route  into  the  Valley  of 
Virginia  from  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  by  which  General 
Patterson's  approach  was  expected.  Its  garrison  was  thus 
out  of  position  to  defend  that  valley,  or  to  prevent  General 
McClellan's  junction  with  General  Patterson.  These  were 
the  obvious  and  important  objects  to  be  kept  in  view.  Be- 
sides being  in  position  for  them,  it  was  necessary  to  be  able, 
on  emergency,  to  join  General  Beauregard. 

The  occupation  of  Harper's  Ferry  by  our  army  perfectly 
suited  the  enemy's  views.  We  were  bound  to  a  fixed  point. 
His  movements  were  unrestricted.  These  views  were  sub- 
mitted to  the  military  authorities.  The  continued  occupa- 
tion of  the  place  was,  however,  deemed  by  them  indispensa- 
ble. I  determined  to  hold  it  until  the  great  objects  of  the. 
Government  required  its  abandonment. 

The  practicable  roads  from  the  West  and  Northwest,  as 
well  as  from  Manassas,  meet  the  route  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland  at  Winchester.  That  point  was,  therefore,  in 
my  opinion,  our  best  position. 

The  distinguished  commander  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac 
was  convinced,  like  myself,  of  our  dependence  upon  each 
other,  and  promised  to  co-operate  with  me  in  case  of  need. 
To  guard  against  surprise,  and  to  impose  upon  the  enemy, 
Major  Whiting  was  directed  to  mount  a  few  heavy  guns 
upon  Furnace  Ridge,  and  otherwise  strengthen  the  position. 

I  was  employed,  until  the  13th  of  June,  in  continuing  what 
had  been  begun  by  my  predecessor,  Colonel  (now  Major 
General)  Jackson,  the  organization,  instruction  and  equip- 
ment of  the  troops,  and  providing  means  of  transportation 
and  artillery  horses.  The  river  was  observed  from  the  Point 
of  Rocks  to  the  Western  part  of  the  county  of  Berkeley — 
the  most  distant  portions  by  the  indefatigable  Stuart  with 
his  cavalry.  General  Patterson's  troops  were  within  a  few 
hours  of  Williamsport,  and  General  McClellan's  in  Western 
Virginia  were  supposed  to  be  approaching  to  effect  a  junc- 
tion with  Patterson,  whose  force  was  reported,  by  well  in- 
formed persons,  to  be  eighteen  thousand  men. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  June,  information  was  re- 
ceived from  Winchester,  that  Romney  was  occupied  by  two 
thousand  Federal  troops,  supposed  to  be  the  van-guard  of 
McClellan's  army. 

Colonel  A.  P."  Hill,  with  his  own  (13th)  and  Colonel  Gib- 
bon's (10th)  Virginia  Regiments,  was  despatched  by  railway 


to  Winchester.  He  was  directed  to  move  thence  towards 
Roinney,  to  take  the  hest  position  and  best  measures  to  check 
the  advance  of  the  enemy.  He  was  to  add  to  his  command 
the  3d  Tennessee  Regiment,  which  had  just  arrived  at  Win- 
chester. 

During  that  day  and  the  next,  the  heavy  baggage  and  re- 
maining public  property  were  sent  to  Winchester  by  the 
railway,  and  the  bridges  on  the  Potomac  destroyed.  On  the 
morning  of  the  15th,  the  army  left  Harper's  Ferry  for  Win- 
chester, (the  force  had  been  increased  b}^  three  regiments 
since  the  1st  of  June)  and  bivouacked  four  miles  beyond 
Charlestown.  On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  intelligence  was 
received  that  General  Patterson's  army  had  crossed  the 
Potomac  at  Williamsport,  also  that  the  United  States  force 
at  Romney  had  fallen  back.  A  courier  from  Richmond 
brought  a  despatch  authorizing  me  to  evacuate  Harper's 
Ferry  at  my  discretion. 

The  army  was  ordered  to  gain  the  Martinsburg  Turnpike, 
by  a  flank  movement  to  Bunker's  Hill,  in  order  to  place 
itself  between  Winchester  and  the  expected  advance  of  Pat- 
terson. On  hearing  of  this,  the  enemy  re-crossed  the  river 
precipitately.  Resuming  my  first  direction  and  plan,  I  pro- 
ceeded to  Winchester.  There  the  army  was  in  position  to 
oppose  cither  McClellan  from  the  West,  or  Patterson  from 
the  Northeast,  and  to  form  a  junction  with  General  Beaure- 
gard  when  necessary. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  George  Stewart,  with  his  Maryland 
Battalion,  was  sent  to  Harper's  Ferry  to  bring  off  some 
public  property  said  to  have  been  left.  As  McClellan  was 
moving  Southwestward  from  Grafton,  Colonel  Hill's  com- 
mand was  withdrawn  from  Romney.  The  defence  of  that 
region  of  country  was  entrusted  to  Colonel  McDonald's  Re- 
giment of  Cavalry.  Intelligence  from  Maryland  indicating 
another  movemenl  by  Patterson,  Colonel  Jackson,  with  his 
brigade,  was  sent  to  the  neighborhood  of  Martinsburg,  to 
support  Col.  Stuart.  The  latter  officer  had  been  placed  in 
rvation   <>n  the  Line  of  the  Potomac  with  his  cavalry. 

Ilis  increasing  vigilance  ami  activity  was  relied  on  to  repress 
small  incursions  <>f  the  enemy,  to  give  intelligence  of  inva- 
sion by  them,    and  to  watch,  liana—  and  circumscribe    their 

ev*  iv  movement.  Colonel  .luck  son  was  instructed  to  destroy 
such  of  the  rolling  stock  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail- 
road as  could  not  he  brought  off,  and  to  have  so  mucb  of  it  as 
could  he  made  available  t"  our  service  brought  to  Winchester. 


Major  Whiting  was  ordered  to  plan  defensive  works,  and 
to  have  some  heavy  guns  on  navy  carriages  mounted.  About 
twenty-five  hundred  militia,  under  Brigadier  General  Carson, 
were  called  out  from  Frederick  and  the  neighboring  counties, 
to  man  them. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  General  Patterson  again  crossed  the 
Potomac.  Colonel  Jackson,  pursuant  to  instructions,  fell 
back  before  him.  In  retiring,  he  gave  him  a  severe  lesson, 
in  the  affair  at  Falling  Waters.  With  a  battalion  of  the  5th 
Virginia  Regiment  (Harper's),  and  Pendleton's  Battery  of 
Field  Artillery,  he  engaged  the  enemy's  advance.  Skillfully 
taking  a  position  where  the  smallness  of  his  force  was  con- 
cealed, he  engaged  them  for  a  considerable  time,  inflicted  a 
heavy  loss,  and  retired  when  about  to  be  outflanked,  scarcely 
losing  a  man,  but  bringing  off  forty-five  prisoners. 

Upon  this  intelligence  the  army,  strengthened  by  the 
arrival  of  General  Bee  and  Colonel  Elzey,  and  the  9th 
Georgia  Regiment,  Avas  ordered  forward  to  the  support  of 
Jackson.  It  met  him  at  Darksville,  six  miles  from  Martins- 
burg,  where  it  took  up  a  position  for  action,  as  General  Pat- 
terson, it  was  supposed,  was  closely  folloAving  Colonel  Jack- 
son. We  waited  for  him  in  this  position  four  days,  hoping 
to  be  attacked  by  an  adversary  at  least  double  our  number, 
but  unwilling  to  attack  him  in  a  town  so  defensible  as  Mar- 
tinsburg,  with  its  solid  buildings  and  enclosures  of  masonry. 
Convinced  at  length  that  he  would  not  approach  us,  I  re- 
turned to  Winchester,  much  to  the  disappointment  of  our 
troops,  who  were  eager  for  battle  with  the  invaders.  Colo- 
nel Stuart,  with  his  cavalry,  as  usual,  remained  near  the 
enemy. 

Before  the  15th  of  July,  the  enemy's  force,  according  to 
the  best  intelligence  to  be  obtained,  amounted  to  about 
thirty-two  thousand.  Ours  had  been  increased  by  eight 
Southern  regiments.  On  the  15th  of  July,  Colonel  Stuart 
reported  the  advance  of  General  Patterson  from  Martina- 
burg.  He  halted,  however,  at  Bunker's  Hill,  nine  miles 
from  Winchester,  where  he  remained  on  the  16th.  On  the 
17th,  he  moved  his  left  to  Smithfield.  This  created  the 
impression  that  he  intended  to  attack  us  on  the  south,  or  was 
merely  holding  us  in  check,  while  General  Beauregard 
should  be  attacked  at  Manassas  by  General  Scott. 

About  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  18th,  I  received 
from  the  Government  a  telegraphic  dispatch,  informing  me 
that  the  Northern  army  was  advancing  upon  Manassas,  then 


held  by  General  Beauregard,  and  directing  me,  if  practica- 
ble, to  go  to  that  officer's  assistance,  sending  rny  sick  to 
Culpeper  Court-house. 

In  the  exercise  of  the  discretion  conferred  by  the  terms 
of  the  order,  I  at  once  determined  to  march  to  join  General 
Beauregard.  The  best  service  which  the  army  of  the  Shen- 
andoah could  render,  was  to  prevent  the  defeat  of  that  of  the 
Potomac.  To  be  able  to  do  this,  it  was  necessary,  in  the 
first  instance,  to  defeat  General  Patterson,  or  to  elude  him. 
The  latter  course  was  the  most  speedy  and  certain,  and 
was  therefore  adopted.  Our  sick,  nearly  seventeen  hundred 
in  number,  were  provided  for  in  Winchester.  For  the 
defence  of  that  place,  the  militia  of  Generals  Carson  and 
Meem  seemed  ample ;  for  I  thought  it  certain  that  General 
Patterson  would  folloAv  my  movement,  as  soon  as  he  discovered 
it.  Evading  him,  by  the  disposition  made  of  the  advance 
guard  under  Colonel  Stuart,  the  army  moved  through  Ash- 
by's  Gap  to  Piedmont,  a  station  of  the  Manassas  Gap  Kail- 
road.  Hence,  the  infantry  were  to  be  transported  by  the 
railway,  while  the  cavalry  and  artillery  were  ordered  to  con- 
tinue their  march.  I  reached  Manassas  about  noon  on  the 
20th,  preceded  by  the  7th  and  8th  Georgia  regiments,  and 
by  Jackson's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  2nd,  4th,  5th,  27th 
and  33rd  Virginia  regiments.  I  was  accompanied  by  Gene- 
ral Bee,  with  the  4th  Alabama,  the  2nd  and  two  companies 
of  the  11th  Mississippi.  The  president  of  the  railroad  com- 
pany had  assured  me  that  the  remaining  troops  should  arrive 
during  the  day. 

I  found  General  Beauregard's  position  too  extensive,  and 
the  ground  too  densely  wooded  and  intricate,  to  be  learned 
in  the  brief  time  at  my  disposal,  and  therefore  determined 
to  rely  upon  his  knowledge  of  it,  and  of  the  enemy's  posi- 
tions. This  I  did  readily,  from  full  confidence  in  his  capa- 
city 

His  troops  were  divided  into  eight  brigades,  occupying 
the  defensive  line  of  Bull  Run.  Brigadier-General  Swell's 
was  posted  at  the  Union  Mills  Ford;  Brigadier-General  I). 
K.  Jones's  at  McL<  an's  Ford  ;  Brigadier-General  Longstreet's 
at  Blackburn's  Ford;  Brigadier-General  Bonham's  at  Mitch- 
ell's Ford;  Colonel  Cocke's  at  Ball's  Ford,  some  three  miles 

above,  and    Colonel    Evans,  with    B    regiment   and    battalion, 

formed  the  extreme  left  at  the  Stone  Bridge.  The  brigades 
of  Brigadier-General  Holmes,  and  Colonel  Early,  were  in  re- 
serve, in  rear  of  the  right.     I  regarded  the  arrival  of  the 


8 

remainder  of  the  army  of  the  Shenandoah,  during  the  night, 
as  certain,  and  Patterson's  junction  with  the  Grand  Army, 
on  the  22nd,  as  probable.  During  the  evening  it  was  deter- 
mined, instead  of  remaining  in  the  defensive  positions  then 
occupied,  to  assume  the  offensive,  and  attack  the  enemy 
before  such  a  junction. 

General  Beauregard  proposed  a  plan  of  battle,  which  I 
approved  without  hesitation.  He  drew  up  the  necessary 
order  during  the  night,  which  was  approved  formally  by  me 
at  half-past  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  21st.  The 
early  movements  of  the  enemy  on  that  morning,  and  the 
non-arrival  of  the  expected  troops,  prevented  its  execution. 
General  Beauregard  afterwards  proposed  a  modification  of 
the  abandoned  plan — to  attack  with  our  right,  while  the  left 
stood  on  the  defensive.  This,  too,  became  impracticable, 
and  a  battle  ensued,  different  in  place  and  circumstance  from 
any  previous  plan  on  our  side. 

Soon  after  sunrise,  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  a  light 
cannonade  was  opened  upon  Colonel  Evans's  position  ;  a 
similar  demonstration  was  made  against  the  centre  soon 
after,  and  strong  forces  were  observed  in  front  of  it  and  of 
the  right.  About  eight  o'clock,  General  Beauregard  and  I 
placed  ourselves  on  a  commanding  hill  in  rear  of  General 
Bonham's  left.  Near  nine  o'clock  the  signal  officer,  Captain 
Alexander,  reported  that  a  large  body  of  troops  was  cross- 
ing the  valley  of  Bull  Run,  some  two  miles  above  the  bridge. 
General  Bee,  who  had  been  placed  near  Colonel  Cocke's  po- 
sition, Colonel  Hampton,  with  his  legion,  and  Colonel  Jack- 
son, from  a  point  near  General  Bonham's  left,  were  ordered 
to  hasten  to  the  left  flank. 

The  signal  officer  soon  called  our  attention  to  a  heavy  cloud 
of  dust  to  the  north-west,  and  about  ten  miles  off,  such  as 
the  march  of  an  army  would  raise.  This  excited  apprehen- 
sions of  General  Patterson's  approach. 

The  enemy,  under  cover  of  a  strong  demonstration  on 
our  right,  made  a  long  detour  through  the  woods  on  his 
right,  crossed  Bull  Run  two  miles  above  our  left,  and  threw 
himself  upon  the  flank  and  rear  of  our  position.  This  move- 
ment was  fortunately  discovered  in  time  for  us  to  check  its 
progress,  and  ultimately  to  form  a  new  line  of  battle  nearly 
at  right  angles  with  the  defensive  line  of  Bull  Run. 

On  discovering  that  the  enemy  had  crossed  the  stream 
above  him,  Colonel  Evans  moved  to  his  left  with  eleven 
companies  and  two  field  pieces,  to  oppose  his  advance,  and 


disposed  his  little  force  under  cover  of  the  wood,  near  the 
intersection  of  the  Warrenton  Turnpike  and  the  Sudley 
Road.  Here  he  was  attacked  by  the  enemy  in  immensely 
superior  numbers,  against  which  he  maintained  himself 
with  skill  and  unshrinking  courage.  General  Bee,  moving 
towards  the  enemy,  guided  by  the  firing,  had,  with  a  sol- 
dier's eye,  selected  the  position  near  the  Henry  House,  and 
formed  his  troops  upon  it.  They  were  the  7th  and  8th 
Georgia,  4th  Alabama,  2nd  Mississippi,  and  two  companies 
of  the  11th  Mississippi  regiments,  with  Imboden's  battery. 
Being  compelled,  however,  to  sustain  Colonel  Evans,  he 
crossed  the  valley  and  formed  on  the  right  and  somewhat  in 
advance  of  his  position.  Here  the  joint  force,  little  ex- 
ceeding five  regiments,  with  six  field  pieces,  held  the  ground 
against  about  fifteen  thousand  United  States  troops  for  an 
hour,  until,  finding  themselves  outflanked  by  the  continu- 
ally arriving  troops  of  the  enemy,  they  fell  back  to  General 
Bee's  first  position,  upon  the  line  of  which,  Jackson,  just 
arriving,  formed  his  brigade  and  Stanard's  battery.  Col. 
Hampton,  who  had  by  this  time  advanced  with  his  Legion 
as  far  as  the  Turnpike,  rendered  efficient  service  in  main- 
taining the  orderly  character  of  the  retreat  from  that  point; 
and  here  fell  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnson,  his 
second  in  command. 

In  the  meantime,  I  awaited  with  General  Beauregard,  near 
the  centre,  the  full  development  of  the  enemy's  designs. 
About  11  o'clock,  the  violence  of  the  firing  on  the  left  indi- 
cated a  battle,  and  the  march  of  a  large  body  of  troops  from 
the  enemy's  centre  towards  the  conflict,  was  shown  by  clouds 
of  dust.  I  was  thus  convinced,  that  his  great  effort  w  as  to  be 
made  with  his  right.  I  stated  that  conviction  to  General 
Beauregard,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  immediately 
strengthening  our  left  as  much  as  possible.  <  Orders  were, 
accordingly,  at  once  sent  General  Holmes  and  Colonel  Karl  v. 
to  move  with  all  speed  to  the  sound  of  the  firing,  and  to 
General  Bonham  to  send  up  two  of  his  regiments  and  a 
battery.  Gren.  Beauregard  and  I  then  hurried  at  a  rapid 
gallop  to  the  scene  of  action,  about  four  mile-  off.  <  hi  the  W  aj . 
J  directed  my  chief  of  art  ill. -ry.  Colonel  Pendleton,  to  follow 
\\\th  his  own  and  Alburtisis  batteries.  We  oame  d 
moment  too  soon.  The  long  contest,  against  five-fold  odds 
and  heavy  Losses,  especially  of  field  officers,  had  greatly  dis- 
couraged the  troops  of  General  Bee  and  Colonel  Evans. 
Our  presence  with  them  under  fire,  and  some  example,  had 


10 

the  happiest  effect  on  the  spirit  of  the  troops.  Order  was 
soon  restored,  and  the  battle  re-established,  to  which  the 
firmness  of  Jackson's  brigade  greatly  contributed.  Then, 
in  a  brief  and  rapid  conference,  General  Beauregard  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  left,  which,  as  the  younger 
officer,  he  claimed,  while  I  returned  to  that  of  the  whole 
field.  The  aspect  of  affairs  was  critical,  but  I  had  full 
confidence  in  the  skill  and  indomitable  courage  of  General 
Beauregard,  the  high  soldierly  qualities  of  Generals  Bee  and 
Jackson,  and  Colonel  Evans,  and  the  devoted  patriotism  of 
their  troops.  Orders  were  first  dispatched  to  hasten  the 
march  of  General  Holmes's,  Colonel  Early's  and  General 
Bonham's  regiments.  General  Ewell  was  also  directed  to 
follow  with  all  speed.  Many  of  the  broken  troops,  frag- 
ments of  companies,  and  individual  stragglers,  were  reformed 
and  brought  into  action,  with  the  aid  of  my  staff,  and  a  por- 
tion of  General  Beauregard's.  Colonel  (Governor)  Smith, 
with  his  battalion,  and  Colonel  Hunton,  with  his  regiment, 
were  ordered  up  to  reinforce  the  right.  I  have  since  learned 
that  General  Beauregard  had  previously  ordered  them  into 
the  battle.  They  belonged  to  his  corps.  Colonel  Smith's 
cheerful  courage  had  a  fine  influence,  not  only  upon  the  spirit 
of  his  own  men,  but  upon  the  stragglers  from  the  troops  en- 
gaged. The  largest  body  of  these,  equal  to  about  four 
companies,  having  no  competent  field  officer,  I  placed 
under  command  of  one  of  my  staff,  Colonel  F.  J.  Thomas, 
who  fell,  while  gallantly  leading  it  against  the  enemy. 
These  reinforcements  were  all  sent  to  the  right,  to  re-estab- 
lish, more  perfectly,  that  part  of  our  line.  Having  attended 
to  these  pressing  duties,  at  the  immediate  scene  of  conflict, 
my  eye  was  next  directed  to  Colonel  Cocke's  brigade,  the 
nearest  at  hand.  Hastening  to  his  position,  I  desired  him 
to  lead  his  troops  into  action.  He  informed  me,  however, 
that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  troops,  beyond  the  stream 
and  below  the  bridge,  threatened  us  from  that  quarter.  He 
was,  therefore,  left  in  his  position. 

My  headquarters  were  now  established  near  the  Lewis 
House.  From  this  commanding  elevation,  my  view  embraced 
the  position  of  the  enemy  beyond  the  stream,  and  the  ap- 
proaches to  the  Stone  Bridge,  a  point  of  especial  import- 
ance. I  could  also  see  the  advances  of  our  troops,  far  down 
the  valley,  in  the  direction  of  Manassas,  and  observe  the 
progress  of  the  action  and  the  manoeuvres  of  the  enemy. 

We  had  now  sixteen  guns,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty 


11 

cavalry,  and  a  little  above  nine  regiments  of  the  army  of  the 
Shenandoah,  and  six  guns,  and  less  than  the  strength  of 
three  regiments,  of  that  of  the  Potomac,  engaged  with  about 
thirty-five  thousand  United  States  troops,  amongst  whom, 
were  full  three  thousand  men  of  the  old  regular  army.  Yet, 
this  admirable  artillery,  and  brave  infantry  and  cavalry,  lost 
no  foot  of  ground.  For  nearly  three  hours  they  maintained 
their  position,  repelling  five  successive  assaults,  by  the 
heavy  masses  of  the  enemy,  whose  numbers  enabled  him 
continually  to  bring  up  fresh  troops,  as  their  preceding 
columns  were  driven  back.  Colonel  Stuart  contributed  to 
one  of  these  repulses,  by  a  well  timed  and  vigorous  charge 
on  the  enemy's  right  flank,  with  two  companies  of  his  caval- 
ry. The  efficiency  of  our  infantry  and  cavalry,  might  have 
been  expected  from  a  patriotic  people,  accustomed,  like  ours, 
to  the  management  of  arms  and  horses,  but  that  of  the  artil- 
lery, was  little  less  than  wonderful.  They  were  opposed  to 
batteries  far  superior,  in  the  number,  range  and  equipment 
of  their  guns,  with  educated  officers,  and  thoroughly  in- 
structed soldiers.  We  had  but  one  educated  artillerist, 
Colonel  Pendleton — that  model  of  a  Christian  soldier — yet 
they  exhibited  as  much  superiority  to  the  enemy  in  skill  as 
in  courage.  Their  fire  was  superior,  both  in  rapidity  and 
precision. 

About  two  o'clock,  an  officer  of  General  Beauregard's 
Adjutant  General's  office,  galloped  from  Manassas,  to  report 
to  me  that  a  United  States  army  had  reached  the  line  of  the 
Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  was  marching  towards  us,  and  then 
but  three  or  four  miles  from  our  left  flank. 

The  expected  reinforcements  appeared  soon  after.  Col. 
Cocke  was  then  desired  to  lead  bis  brigade  into  action,  to 
support  the  right  of  the  troops  engaged,  which  he  did,  with 

alacrity  and    effect.      Within  a  ball'  hour,  the  two  regiments 

of  General  Bonham's  brigade,  (Cash's  and  Kershaw's.)  came 
up.  and  were  directed  against  the  enemy's  right,  which  he 
seemed  to  be  strengthening.  Fisher's  North  Carolina  regi- 
ment was.  soon  after,  sent  in   the  same  direction.     About 

three  o'clock,  while  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  striving  to  out- 
flank and  drive  back  our  left,  and  thus  separate  us  from  Ma- 
General  B.  K .  Smith  arrived,  with  three  regiments 
of  Elzey's  brigade.  Ik  u;i-  instructed  to  attack  the  right 
flank  of  the  enemy,  now  exposed  to  us.  Before  the  move- 
ment  was  completed,  he  fell,  severely  wounded.     Colonel 

Elzey    at     on    e    taking    command,    executed     it    with     great 


12 

promptitude  and  vigor.  General  Beauregard  rapidly  seized 
the  opportunity  thus  afforded  him,  and  threw  forward  his 
whole  line.  The  enemy  was  driven  back  from  the  long 
contested  hill,  and  victory  was  no  longer  doubtful.  He  made 
yet  another  attempt  to  retrieve  the  day.  He  again  extended 
his  right,  with  a  still  wider  sweep,  to  turn  our  left.  Just  as 
he  re-formed,  to  renew  the  battle,  Colonel  Early's  three  re- 
giments came  upon  the  field.  The  enemy's  new  formation 
exposed  his  right  flank  more  even  than  the  previous  one. 
Colonel  Early  was,  therefore,  ordered  to  throw  himself  di- 
rectly upon  it,  supported  by  Colonel  Stuart's  cavalry,  and 
Beckham's  battery.  He  executed  this  attack  bravely  and 
well,  while  a  simultaneous  charge  was  made  by  General 
Beauregard  in  front.  The  enemy  was  broken  by  this  com- 
bined attack.  He  lost  all  the  artillery  which  he  had  ad- 
vanced to  the  scene  of  the  conflict.  He  had  no  more  fresh 
troops  to  rally  on,  and  a  general  rout  ensued. 

Instructions  were  instantly  sent  to  General  Bonham,  to 
march  by  the  quickest  route  to  the  turnpike,  to  intercept  the 
fugitives  ;  and  to  General  Longstreet,  to  follow  as  closely  as 
possible  upon  the  right.  Their  progress  was  checked  by 
the  enemy's  reserve,  and  by  night,  at  Centreville. 

Schenck's  brigade  made  a  slight  demonstration  towards 
Lewis's  ford,  which  was  quickly  checked  by  Holmes's  brigade, 
which  had  just  arrived  from  the  right.  His  artillery,  under 
Captain  Walker,  was  used  with  great  skill. 

Colonel  Stuart  pressed  the  pursuit  on  the  enemy's  princi- 
pal line  of  retreat,  the  Sudley  Road.  Four  companies  of 
cavalry,  under  Colonel  Radford  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Munford,  which  I  had  held  in  reserve,  were  ordered  to  cross 
the  stream  at  Ball's  Ford,  to  reach  the  turnpike,  the  line  of 
retreat  of  the  enemy's  left.  Our  cavalry  found  the  roads 
encumbered  with  dead  and  wounded,  (many  of  whom  seemed 
to  have  been  thrown  from  wagons,)  arms,  accoutrements  and 
clothing. 

A  report  came  to  me  from  the  right,  that  a  strong  body 
of  United  States  troops  was  advancing  upon  Manassas. 
General  Holmes,  who  had  just  reached  the  field,  and  Gene- 
ral Ewell  on  his  way  to  it,  were  ordered  to  meet  this  unex- 
pected attack.     They  found  no  foe,  however. 

Our  victory  was  as  complete  as  one  gained  by  infantry 
and  artillery  can  be.  An  adequate  force  of  cavalry  would 
have  made  it  decisive. 

It  is  due,  under  Almighty  God,  to  the  skill  and  resolution 


13 

of  General  Beauregard,  the  admirable  conduct  of  Generals 
Bee,  E.  K.  Smith  and  Jackson,  and  of  Colonels  (command- 
ing brigades)  Evans,  Cocke,  Early  and  Elzey,  and  the  cour- 
age and  unyielding  firmness  of  our  patriotic  volunteers. 
The  admirable  character  of  our  troops  is  incontestibly 
proved  by  the  result  of  this  battle ;  especially  when  it  is  re- 
membered that  little  more  than  six  thousand  men  of  the 
army  of  the  Shenandoah,  with  sixteen  guns,  and  less  than 
two  thousand  of  that  of  the  Potomac,  with  six  guns,  for  full 
five  hours  successfully  resisted  thirty-five  thousand  United 
States  troops,  with  a  powerful  artillery,  and  a  superior  force 
of  regular  cavalry.  Our  forces  engaged,  gradually  increas- 
ing during  the  remainder  of  the  contest,  amounted  to  but 

men  at  the  close  of  the  battle.  The  brunt  of  this 
hard-fought  engagement  fell  upon  the  troops  who  held  their 
ground  so  long,  with  such  heroic  resolution.  The  unfading 
honor  which  they  won,  was  dearly  bought  with  the  blood  of 
many  of  our  best  and  bravest.  Their  loss  was  far  heavier,  in 
proportion,  than  that  of  the  troops  coming  later  into  action. 

Every  regiment  and  battery  engaged  performed  its  part 
well.  The  commanders  of  brigades  have  been  already  men- 
tioned. I  refer  you  to  General  Beauregard's  report,  for  the 
names  of  the  officers  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves  most.  I  cannot  enumerate  all  of  the 
army  of  the  Shenandoah,  who  deserve  distinction,  and  will 
confine  myself  to  those  of  high  rank.  Colonels  Bartow  and 
Fisher,  (killed,)  Jones,  (mortally  wounded,)  Harper,  J.  F. 
Preston,  Cummings,  Falkner,  Gartrell  and  Vaughan ;  J. 
E.  B.  Stuart,  of  the  cavalry,  and  Pendleton  of  the  artillery, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Echols,  Lightfoot,  Lackland,  G.  II. 
Stewart  and  Gardner.  The  last-named  gallant  officer  was 
severely  wounded. 

The  lose  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  was,  1<)S  killed,  510 
wounded,  12  missing  That  of  the  army  of  the  Shenandoah 
was,  270  killed.  !l?!»  wounded,   IS  missing. 

Total  killed, 378 

"      wounded, 1,489 

"       mi-siiiLr,        -----  3D 

That  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  ascertained.  It  must 
hare  been  between  four  and  five  thousand.  Twenty-eight 
pieces  of  artillery,  about  five  thousand  muskets,  and  nearly 
five  hundred  thousand  cartridges ;  a  garrison  flag  and  ten 
colors  were  captured  on  the  field  or  in  the  pursuit.     Besides 

these,  we   captured    sixty-four    artillery    horSSS,    with    their 


14 

harness,  twenty-six  wagons,  and  much  camp  equipage,  cloth- 
ing, and  other  property,  abandoned  in  their  flight. 

The  officers  of  my  staff  deserve  high  commendation  for 
their  efficient  and  gallant  services  during  the  day  and  the 
campaign,  and  I  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Gov- 
ernment to  their  merits.  Major  W.  H.  C.  Whiting, 
Chief  Engineer,  was  invaluable  to  me,  for  his  signal  ability 
in  his  profession,  and  for  his  indefatigable  activity  before 
and  in  the  battle.  Major  McClean,  Chief  Quartermaster, 
and  Major  Kearsley,  Chief  Commissary,  conducted  their 
respective  departments  with  skill  and  energy.  Major  Rhett, 
A.  A.  General,  who  joined  me  only  the  day  before,  was  of 
great  service.  I  left  him  at  Manassas,  and  to  his  experience 
and  energy  I  entrusted  the  care  of  ordering  my  troops  to 
the  field  of  battle  as  they  should  arrive,  and  forwarding  am- 
munition for  the  artillery  during  the  action.  Captains  C. 
M.  Fauntleroy,  C.  S.  Navy,  T.  L.  Preston,  A.  A.  A.  Gene- 
ral, and  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Washington,  A.  D.  C,  conveyed 
my  orders  bravely  and  well,  on  this  their  first  field,  as  did 
several  gallant  gentlemen  who  volunteered  their  services — 
Colonel  Cole  of  Florida,  Major  Deas  of  Alabama,  Colonel 
Duncan  of  Kentucky.  Lieutenant  Beverly  Randolph,  C. 
S.  N.,  aided  Colonel  F.  J.  Thomas  in  the  command  of  the 
body  of  troops  he  led  into  action,  and  fought  with  gallantry. 
With  these  was  my  gallant  friend,  Captain  Barlow  Mason, 
who  was  mortally  wounded.  I  have  already  mentioned  the 
brave  death  of  ordnance  officer  Colonel  F.  J.  Thomas.  I 
was  much  indebted,  also,  to  Colonels  J.  J.  Preston,  Man- 
ning, Miles  and  Chisholm,  and  Captain  Stevens,  of  the  En- 
gineer Corps,  members  of  General  Beauregard's  staff,  who 
kindly  proffered  their  services,  and  rendered  efficient  and 
valuable  aid,  at  different  times  during  the  day.  Colonel  G. 
W.  Lay,  of  General  Bonham's  staff,  delivered  my  instruc- 
tions to  the  troops  sent  in  pursuit  and  to  intercept  the 
enemy,  with  much  intelligence  and  courage. 

It  will  be  remarked  that  the  three  Brigadier-Generals  of 
the  army  of  the  Shenandoah  were  all  Avounded.  I  have  al- 
ready mentioned  the  wound  of  General  Smith.  General 
Jackson,  though  painfully  wounded  early  in  the  day,  com- 
manded his  brigade  to  the  close  of  the  action.  General  Bee, 
after  great  exposure  at  the  commencement  of  the  engage- 
ment, was  mortally  wounded,  just  as  our  reinforcements 
were  coming  up. 

The  apparent  firmness  of  the  United  States  troops  at  Cen- 


15 

treville,  who  had  not  been  engaged,  which  checked  our  pur- 
suit ;  the  strong  forces  occupying  the  works  near  George- 
town, Arlington  and  Alexandria;  the  certainty,  too,  that 
General  Patterson,  if  needed,  would  reach  Washington,  with 
his  army  of  thirty  thousand  men,  sooner  than  we  could  ;  and 
the  condition  and  inadequate  means  of  the  army  in  ammu- 
nition, provisions  and  transportation,  prevented  any  serious 
thoughts  of  advancing  against  the  Capital.  It  is  certain 
that  the  fresh  troops  within  the  works  were,  in  number, 
quite  sufficient  for  their  defence  ;  if  not,  General  Patterson's 
army  would  certainly  reinforce  them  soon  enough. 

This  report  will  be  presented  to  you  by  my  Aid-de-Camp, 
Lieutenant  J.  B.  Washington,  by  whom,  and  by  General 
Beauregard's  Aid,  Lieutenant  Ferguson,  the  captured  colors 
are  transmitted  to  the  War  Department. 
Most  respectfully, 

Your  ob't  serv't, 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON, 

General. 

(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.   General. 


REPORT  OF  GEN.  BEAUREGARD,  OF  THE  BATTLE 
OF  MANASSAS. 


Headquarters  1st  Corps  Army  of  the  Potom  w.  j> 
Manassas,  August  26th,  1861.  \ 

General: 


The  War  Department  having  been  informed  by  me,  by 
telegraph  on  the  1 7th  of  July,  of  the  movement  of  Gen.  Mc- 
Dowell— Gen.  Johnston  was  immediately  ordered  to  form  a 
junction  of  his  Army  Corps  with  mine,  should  the  movement. 
in  his  judgment,  be  deemed  advisable.  Gen.  Holmes  was  also 
directed  to  push  forward  with  two  regiments,  a  battery,  and 
one  company  of  cavalry. 

In  view  of  these  propositions,  approaching  reinforcements, 
modifying  my  plan  of  operations,  so  far  as  to  determine  on  at- 
tacking the  enemy  at  Centrevillc,  as  soon  as  I  should  hear  of 
the  near  approach  of  the  two  reinforcing  columns,  I  sent  one 
of  my  Aids,  Col.  Chisholm,  of  South  Carolina,  to  meet  and 
communicate  my  plans  to  Gen.  Johnston,  and  my  wish  that 
one  portion  of  his  forces  should  march  by  the  way  of  Aldie, 
and  take  the  enemy  on  his  right  flank  and  in  reverse  al  Cen- 
trcville.  Difficulties,  however,  of  an  insuperable  character, 
in  connection  with  means  of  transportation,  and  the  marching 
condition  ot  his  troops,  made  this  impracticable,  and  it  was 

rmined  our  ould  be  united  within  the  line 

Bull  Run,  and  thence  advance  to  the  attack  of  the  enei 

Gen.  Johnston  arrived  here  about  noon  on  the  20th  duly. 
and  being  my  senior  in  rank,  he  necessarily  assumt  1  com- 
mand of  all  the  forces  of  the  <  lonfederate  State-,  then  c  n 
tratinir  at  this  point.     Made  acquainted  with  my  plan  of 
rations  and  dispositions  to  meet  the  enemy,  he  gave  them 


18 

his  entire  approval,  and  generously  directed  their  execution 
under  my  command. 

In  consequence  of  the  untoward  detention,  however,  of 
some  (5,000)  five  thousand  of  General  Johnston's  Army 
Corps,  resulting  from  the  inadequate  and  imperfect  means  of 
transportation  for  so  many  troops,  at  the  disposition  of  the 
Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  it  became  necessary,  on  the  morning 
of  the  21st,  before  daylight,  to  modify  the  plan  accepted,  to 
suit  the  contingency  of  an  immediate  attack  on  our  lines,  by 
the  main  force  of  the  enemy,  then  plainly  at  hand. 

The  enemy's  forces,  reported  by  their  best  informed  jour- 
nals to  be  55,000  strong,  I  had  learned  from  reliable  sources, 
on  the  night  of  the  20th,  were  being  concentrated  in  and 
around  Centreville,  and  along  the  Warrenton  Turnpike  road, 
to  Eull  Run,  near  which,  our  respective  pickets  were  in  im- 
mediate proximity.  This  fact,  with  the  conviction  that,  after 
his  signal  discomfiture  on  the  18th  of  July,  before  Black- 
burn's Ford — the  centre  of  my  lines — he  would  not  renew 
the  attack  in  that  quarter,  induced  me  at  once  to  look  for 
an  attempt  on  my  left  flank,  resting  on  the  Stone  Bridge, 
which  was  but  weakly  guarded  by  men,  as  well  as  but  slightly 
provided  with  artificial  defensive  appliances  and  artillery. 

In  view  of  these  palpable  military  conditions,  by  half-past 
four,  A.  M.,  on  the  21st  July,  I  had  prepared  and  dispatched 
orders,  directing  the  whole  of  the  Confederate  forces  within 
the  lines  of  Bull  Run,  including  the  brigades  and  regiments 
of  Gen.  Johnston,  which  had  arrived  at  that  time,  to  be  held 
in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice. 

At  that  hour,  the  following  was  the  disposition  of  our 
forces : 

Ewell's  Brigade,  constituted  as  on  the  18th  July,  remained 
in  position  at  Union  Mills  Ford,  its  left  extending  along 
Bull  Run  in  the  direction  of  McLean's  Ford,  and  supported 
by  Holmes's  Brigade,  2nd  Tennessee  and  1st  Arkansas  Regi- 
ments, a  short  distance  to  the  rear — that  is,  at  and  near  Camp 
Wigfall. 

I).  R.  Jones's  Brigade — from  Ewell's  left,  in  front  of  Mc- 
Lean's Ford,  and  along  the  stream  to  Longstreet's  position. 
It  was  unchanged  in  organization,  and  was  supported  by 
Early's  Brigade — also  unchanged — placed  behind  a  thicket 
of  young  pines,  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  McLean's 
Ford. 

Longstreet's  Brigade  held  its  former  ground  at  Black- 
burn's Ford,  from  Jones's  left  to  Bonham's  right,  at  Mitch- 


19 

ell's  Ford,  and  was  supported  by  Jackson's  Brigade,  consist- 
ing of  I  !olonels  James  L.  Preston's  4th,  Harper's  5th,  Allen's 
2nd,  the  27th,  (Lieut.  Col.  Echol's,)  and  the  33rd,  (Gam- 
ming's,)  Virginia  Regiments,  2.611  strong,  •which  were 
posted  behind  the  skirting  of  pines,  to  the  rear  of  Black- 
burn's and  Mitchell's  Ford;  and  in  roar  of  this  support  was, 
also,  Barksdale's  13th  Regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers, 
which  had  lately  arrived  from  Lynchburg. 

Alnng  the  edge  of  a  pine  thicket,  in  rear  of,  and  equi- 
distant from  McLean's  and  Blackburn's  Fords,  ready  to  sup- 
port either  position.  I  had  also  placed  all  of  Bee's  and  1  Jar- 
tow's  Brigades  that  had  arrived,  namely:  two  companies  of 
the  11th  Mississippi,  Lieut.  Col.  Liddell;  the  2nd  Mississip- 
pi, Col.  Falkner,  and  the  4th  Alabama,  with  the  7th  and  8th 
Georgia  Regiments,  (Colonels  Gartrell  and  Lieut.  Col.  Gard- 
ner,) in  all  2,732  bayonets. 

Bonham's  Brigade,  as  before,  held  Mitchell's  Ford,  its 
right  near  Long-street's  left,  its  left  extending  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Cocke's  right.  It  was  organized  as  at  the  end  of  the 
18th  of  July,  with  Jackson's  Brigade,  as  before  said,  as  a 
support. 

<  looke's  Brigade,  increased  by  seven  companies  of  the  8th, 
(Tlunton's.)  three  companies  of  the  49th,  (Smith's,)  Virginia 
Regiments,  two  companies  of  cavalry,  and  a  battery  under 
Rogers,  of  four  6-poundcrs,  occupied  the  line  in  front  and 
rear  of  Lull  Hun,  extending  from  the  direction  of  Bonham's 
left,  and  guarding  Island.  Ball's  and  Lewis's  Lords,  to  the 
right  of  Evans's  Demi-Brigade  near  the  Stone  Bridge,  also 
under  Crucial  Cocke's  command. 

The  latter  held  the  Stone  Bridge,  and  its  left  covered  a 
farm  ford  about  one  mile  above  the  bridge. 

St  unit's  cavalry,  sonic  three  hundred  men  of  the  Army  of 

the  Shenandoah,  guarded  the  level  ground  extending  in  rear 
from  Bonham's  left  to  Cooke's  right. 

rl\\u  companies  of  Radford's  cavalry  were  held  in  reserve, 
a  short  distance  in  rear  of  Mitchell's  Ford,  his  h'ft  extend- 
ing iii  the  direction  of  Stuart's  right. 

Colonel  Pendleton's  reserve  battery,  of  eight  pieces,  was 
temporarily  placed  in  rear  of  Bonham's  extreme  h'ft. 

Major  Walton's  reserve  battery,  of  five  gun-,  was  in  posi- 

tion  "ii  McLean'.-  farm,  in  a  piece  of  woods  in  rear  "1'  B 

right. 

Hampton's  Legion,  of  six  companies  of  infantry,  sii  hun- 
dred Strong,  having  arrived  that  im. ruing,  by  the  cars,  from 


20 

Richmond,  was  subsequently,  as  soon  as  it  arrived,  ordered 
forward  to  a  position  in  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Lewis 
House,  as  a  support  for  any  troops  engaged  in  that  quarter. 

The  effective  force  of  all  arms,  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, on  that  eventful  morning,  including  the  garrison  of 
Camp  Pickens,  did  not  exceed  21,833,  and  29  guns. 

The  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  ready  for  action  on  the 
field,  may  be  set  at  6,000  men,  and  20  guns.* 

The  Brigade  of  General  Holmes  mustered  about  1,265 
bayonets,  six  guns,  and  a  company  of  cavalry,  about  90 
strong. 

Informed  at  5.30,  A.  M.,  by  Colonel  Evans,  that  the  enemy 
had  deployed  some  twelve  hundred  men,f  with  several  pieces 
of  artillery,  in  his  immediate  front,  I  at  once  ordered  him,  as 
also  General  Cocke,  if  attacked,  to  maintain  their  position 
to  the  last  extremity. 

In  my  opinion,  the  most  effective  method  of  relieving  that 
flank  was  by  a  rapid,  determined  attack  with  my  right  wing 
and  centre  on  the  enemy's  flank  and  rear  at  Centreville, 
with  due  precautions  against  the  advance  of  his  reserves 
from  the  direction  of  Washington.  By  such  a  movement,  I 
confidently  expected  to  achieve  a  complete  victory  for  my 
country  by  12,  M. 

These  new  dispositions  were  submitted  to  General  John- 
ston, who  fully  approved  them,  and  the  orders  for  their  im- 
mediate execution  were  at  once  issued. 

Brigadier  General  Ewell  was  directed  to  begin  the  move- 
ment, to  be  followed  and  supported  successively  by  Generals 
D.  R.  Jones,  Longstreet  and  Bonham,  respectively,  supported 
by  their  several  appointed  reserves. 

The  cavalry  under  Stuart  and  Radford  were  to  be  held 
in  hand,  subject  to  future  orders  and  ready  for  employment, 
as  might  be  required  by  the  exigencies  of  the  battle. 

About  8.30,  A.  M.,  General  Johnston  and  myself  trans- 
ferred  our  headquarters  to  a  central  position  about  half  a 

*  That  is,  when  the  battle  began — Smith's  Brigade  and  Fisher's 
North  Carolina,  came  up  later,  and  made  total  of  army  of  Shenan- 
doah engaged,  of  all  arms,  8,334.  Hill's  Virginia  Regiment,  550, 
also  arrived,  but  was  posted  as  reserve  to  right  Hank. 

t  These  were  what  Colonel  Evans  saw  of  General  Schenck's  Bri- 
gade of  General  Tyler's  Division,  and  two  other  heavy  brigades, 
in  all,  over  9,000  men,  and  13  pieces  of  artillery — Carlisle's  and 
Ayres's  Batteries.  That  is,  900  men,  and  two  6-pounders,  con- 
fronted by  9,000  men,  and  thirteen  pieces  of  artillery,  mostly  rifled. 


21 

mile  in  rear  of  Mitchell's  Ford,  whence  we  might  watch  the 
course  of  events. 

Previously,  as  early  as  5.3(1,  the  Federalists  in  front  of 
Evans's  position — Stone  Bridge — had  opened  with  a  large 
30-pounder  Parrot  rifle  gun,  and  thirty  minutes  later,  with 
a  moderate,  apparently  tentative  fire,  from  a  battery  of  rifle 
pieces,  directed  first  in  front  at  Evans's,  and  then  in  the 
direction  of  Cocke's  position,  but  without  drawing  a  return 
fire  and  discovery  of  our  positions,  chiefly  because  in  that 
quarter  we  had  nothing  but  eight  G-pounder  pieces,  which 
could  not  reach  the  distant  enemy. 

As  the  Federalists  had  advanced  with  an  extended  line  of 
skirmishers  in  front  of  Evans,  that  officer  promptly  threw 
forward  the  two  flank  companies  of  the  4th  South  Carolina 
Regiment  and  one  company  of  Wheat's  Louisiana  Batta- 
lion, deployed  as  skirmishers,  to  cover  his  small  front.  An 
occasional  scattering  fire  resulted,  and  thus  stood  the  two 
armies  in  that  quarter  for  more  than  an  hour,  while  the  main 
body  of  the  enemy  was  marching  his  devious  Avay  through  the 
"  Big  Forest"  to  take  our  forces  in  flank  and  rear. 

By  8.30,  A.  M.,  Colonel  Evans,  having  become  satisfied 
of  the  counterfeit  character  of  the  movement  on  his  front, 
and  persuaded  of  an  attempt  to  turn  his  left  flank,  decided 
to  change  his  position  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  for  this  pur- 
immediately  put  in  motion  to  his  left  and  rear  six  com- 
panies of  Sloan's  4th  South  Carolina  Regiment,  Wheatls 
Louisiana  Battalion,  five  companies,  and  two  6-poundersof 
Latham's  Hattery,  leaving  four  companies  of  Sloan's  Regi- 
ment under  cover  as  the  sole,  Immediate  defence  of  the  Stone 
Bridge,  but  giving  information  to  General  Cocke  of  his 
change  of  position,  and  the  r-Msons  that  impelled  it. 

Following  a  road  leading  by  the  Old  Pittsylvania  (Carter) 
Mansion,  Colonel  Evana  formed  in  line  of  battle  some  four 
hundred  yard-  in  rear — aa  be  advanced — of  that  bouse,  his 
gun-  to  tin'  front  and  in  position,  properly  supported,  to  its 
immediate  right.  Finding,  however,  thai  the  enemy  did  not 
appear  on  that  road,  which  was  a  branch  of  one  Leading  by 
Budley'a  Springe  Ford  to  Brentsville  and  Dumfries,  be 
turned  abruptly  to  the  left,  and.  marching  across  the  fields 
for  three-quarters  of  a  mile — about  9.30,  A.  M. — took  a 
position  in  line  ol  battle;  his  left.  Sloan's  companies,  rest- 
ing on  the    main     Brentsville    Koad  in  a  shallow    ravine,  the 

Louisiana  Battalion  to  the  right,  in  advance  some  two  hun- 
dred yards,  a  rectangular  copse  of  wood  aeparating   them. 


22 

One  piece  of  his  artillery,  planted  on  an  eminence  some 
seven  hundred  yards  to  the  rear  of  Wheat's  Battalion,  and 
the  other  on  a  ridge  near,  and  in  rear  of  Sloan's  position, 
commanding  a  reach  of  the  road  just  in  front  of  the  line  of 
battle.  In  this  order  he  awaited  the  coming  of  the  masses 
of  the  enemy,  now  drawing  near. 

In  the  meantime,  about  7  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Jackson's  Bri- 
gade, with  Imboden's,  and  five  pieces  of  Walton's  Battery, 
had  been  sent  to  take  up  a  position  along  Bull  Run  to  guard 
the  interval  between  Cocke's  right  and  Bonham's  left,  with 
orders  to  support  either,  in  case  of  need — the  character  and 
topographical  features  of  the  ground  having  been  shown  to 
General  Jackson,  by  Captain  I).  B.  Harris,  of  the  Engineers 
of  this  Army  Corps. 

So  much  of  Bee's  and  Bartow's  Brigades,  now  united,  as 
had  arrived — some  2,800  muskets — had  also  been  sent  for- 
ward to  the  support  of  the  position  of  the  Stone  Bridge. 

The  enemy,  beginning  his  detour  from  the  turnpike,  at  a 
point  nearly  half-way  between  Stone  Bridge  and  Centreville, 
had  pursued  a  tortuous,  narrow  trace  of  a  rarely  use  1  road, 
through  a  dense  wood,  the  greater  part  of  his  way  until  near 
the  Sudley  Road.  A  division,  under  Colonel  Hunter,  of  the 
Federal  Regular  Army,  of  two  strong  brigades,  was  in  the 
advance,  followed  immediately  by  another  division,  under 
Colonel  Heintzelman,  of  three  brigades,  and  seven  companies 
of  regular  cavalry,  and  twenty-four  pieces  of  artillery — eigh- 
teen of  which  were  rifle  guns.  This  column,  as  it  crossed 
Bull  Run,  numbered  over  16,000  men,  of  all  arms,  by  their 
own  accounts. 

Burnside's  Brigade — which  here,  as  at  Fairfax  C.  H.,  led 
the  advance — at  about  9.45,  A.  M.,  debouched  from  a  wood 
in  sight  of  Evans's  position,  some  500  yards  distant  from 
Wheat's  Battalion. 

He  immediately  threw  forward  his  skirmishers  in  force, 
and  they  became  engaged  with  Wheat's  command,  and  the 
6-pounder  gun,  under  Lieutenant  Leftwitch. 

The  Federalists  at  once  advanced,  as  they  report  officially, 
the  2d  Rhode  Island  Regiment  Volunteers,  with  its  vaunted 
battery,  of  six  13-pounder  rifle  guns.  Sloan's  companies 
were  then  brought  into  action,  having  been  pushed  forward 
through  the  woods.  The  enemy,  soon  galled  and  staggered 
by  the  fire,  and  pressed  by  the  determined  valor,  with  which 
Wheat  handled  his  battalion,  until  he  was  desperately  wound- 
ed, hastened  up  three  other  regiments  of  the  brigade  and  two 


Dahlgreen  howitzers,  making  in  all  quite  3,500  bayonets, 
and  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  opposed  to  less  than  800  men, 
and  two  6-pounder  guns. 

Despite  this  odds,  this  intrepid  command,  of  but  eleven 
weak  companies,  maintained  its  front  to  the  enemy  for  quite 
an  hour,  and  until  General  Bee  came  to  their  aid  with  his 
■command.  The  heroic  Bee.  with  a  soldier's  eve  and  recog- 
nition of  the  situation,  had  previously  disposed  his  command 
with  skill — Imboden's  battery  having  been  admirably  placed 
between  the  two  brigades,  under  shelter,  behind  the  undula- 
tions of  a  hill  about  150  yards  north  of  the  now  famous 
Henry  House,  and  very  near  where  he  subsequently  fell, 
mortally  wounded,  to  the  great  misfortune  of  his  country, 
but  after  deeds  of  deliberate  and  ever  memorable   courage, 

Meanwhile,  the  enemy  had  pushed  forward  a  battalion  of 
eight  companies  of  regular  infantry,  and  one  of  their  besl 
batteries,  of  six  pieces,  (four  rifled),  supported  by  four  com- 
panies of  marines,  to  increase  the  desperate  odds  against 
which  Evans  and  his  men  had  maintained  their  stand,  with 
an  almost  matchless  tenacity. 

General  Bee.  now  finding  Evans  sorely  pressed,  ruder  tin 
■•lushing  weight  of  the  masses  of  the  enemy,  at  the  call  of 
Colonel  Evans,  threw  forward  his  whole  force  to  his  aid 
3S  a  small  stream — Young's  Branch  ami  Valley — and 
engaged  the  Federalists  with^  impetuosity  ;  Imboden's  Bat- 
tery at  the  time  playing  from  his  well  chosen  position  with 
brilliant  effect  with  spherical  case,  the  enemy  having  first 
opened  on  him  from  a  rille  battery,  probably  Griffins,  with 
elongated  cylindrical  shells,  whic  i  flew  a  few  feet  over  the 
head:-  of  our  men,  and  exploded  in  the  crest  of  the  hill  im- 
mediately in  rear, 

As  Bee  advanced  under  a  severe  fire,  he  placed  the  7th 
and  8th  Georgia   Regiments,  under  the  chivalrous  Bartow, 
at  about   11.  A.  M.,  in  ;i  wood  pf  second-growth  pines  to  tin 
right  and  front  of.  and  nearly  perpendicular  to   Evans's  line 
of  battle  ;  the  4th  Alabama  to  the  left  of  them,  along  m  I 
connecting  the  position  of  tie'  Georgia  Regiments  with  the 
n  etangular  copsi   in  which  5 !  •  m's  South  '  larolina  comp  i 
were  engaged,  and  into  which,  he  also  threw  the  2nd  MLu 
sippi.     A   fierce  and  destructive  conflici   now  ensued — thi 
lire  was  withering  on  both  skies,  while  the  enemy  swept 
short,  thin  lines  with  their  numerous  artillery,  which,  ac< 
ing  to  their  official  reports,  at  this  time  consisted  of  nt 
ten  rifle  guns  and  four  how its  ra,      For  an   hour,  did   tl 


24 

■stout-hearted  men  of  the  blended  commands  of  Bee,  Evans 
and  Bartow,  breast  an  unintermitting  battle-storm,  animated 
surely,  by  something  more  than  the  ordinary  courage  of  even 
the  bravest  men  under  fire ;  it  must  have  been,  indeed,  the 
inspiration  of  the  cause,  and  consciousness  of  the  great  stake 
at  issue,  which  thus  nerved  and  animated  one  and  all,  to 
stand  unawed  and  unshrinking  in  such  extremity. 

Two  Federal  Brigades,  of  Heintzleman's  Division,  were 
now  brought  into  action,  led  by  Ricketts's  superb  light  Bat- 
tery, of  six  10-pounder  rifle  guns,  which,  posted  on  an  emi- 
nence to  the  right  of  the  Sudley  Road,  opened  fire  on  Imbo- 
den's  Battery — about  this  time  increased  by  two  rifle  pieces 
of  the  Washington  Artillery,  under  Lieut.  Richardson,  and 
already  the  mark  of  two  batteries,  which  divided  their  fire 
with  Imboden,  and  two  guns,  under  Lieutenants  Davidson 
and  Leftwitch,  of  Latham's  Battery,  posted  as  before  men- 
tioned. 

At  this  time,  confronting  the  enemy,  we  had  still  but 
Evans's  eleven  companies  and  two  guns — Bee's  and  Bartow's 
four  regiments,  the  two  companies  11th  Mississippi,  under 
Lieut.  Col.  Liddell,  and  the  six  pieces,  under  Imboden  and 
Richardson.  The  enemy  had  two  divisions,  of  four  strong 
brigades,  including  seventeen  companies  of  regular  infantry, 
cavalry  and  artillery,  four  companies  of  marines,  and  twenty 
pieces  of  artillery.*  Against,  this  odds,  scarcely  credible, 
our  advance  position  was  still  for  a  while  maintained,  and 
the  enemy's  ranks  constantly  broken  and  shattered  under  the 
scorching  fire  of  our  men  ;  but  fresh  regiments  of  the  Fede- 
ralists came  upon  the  field,  Sherman's  and  Keye's  Brigades, 
of  Tyler's  Division,  as  is  stated  in  their  reports,  numbering 
over  6,000  bayonets,  which  had  found  a  passage  across  the 
Run,  about  800  yards  above  the  Stone  Bridge,  threatened 
our  right. 

Heavy  losses  had  now  been  sustained  on  our  side,  both  in 
numbers  and  in  the  personal  worth  of  the  slain.  The  8th 
Georgia  Regiment  had  suffered  heavily,  being  exposed  as  it 
took  and  maintained  its  position,  to  a  fire  from  the  enemy, 
already  posted,  within  a  hundred  yards  of  their  front  and 
right,  sheltered  by  fences  and  other  cover.  It  was  at  this 
time  that  Lieut.  Col.  Gardner  was  severely  wounded,  as  also 
several  other  valuable  officers ;  the  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment, 


'See  Official  Reports  of  Colonels  Heintzleman,  Porter,  &c. 


25 

Lieut.  Branch,  was  killed,  and  the  horse  of  the  regretted 
Bartow  was  shot  under  him.  The  4th  Alabama  also  suffered 
severely  from  the  deadly  fire  of  the  thousands  of  muskets 
which  they  so  dauntlessly  affronted  under  the  immediate 
leadership  of  Bee  himself.  Its  brave  Colonel,  E.  J.  Jones, 
was  dangerously  wounded,  and  many  gallant  officers  fell, 
Blain,  or  hors  de  combat. 

Now,  however,  with  the  surging  mass  of  over  fourteen 
thousand  Federal  infantry,  pressing  on  their  front  and  un- 
der the  incessant  fire  of  at  least  twenty  pieces  of  artillery, 
with  the  fresh  Brigades  of  Sherman  and  Keye's  approaching — 
the  latter  already  in  musket  range — our  lines  gave  hack,  but 
under  orders  from  Gen.  Bee. 

The  enemy,  maintaining  their  fire,  pressed  their  swelling 
masses  onward  as  our  shattered  battalions  retired;  the 
slaughter  for  the  moment  was  deplorable,  and  has  filled  many 
a  Southern  home  with  life-long  sorrow. 

Under  this  inexorable  stress,  the  retreat  continued,  until 
arrested  by  the  energy  and  resolution  of  Gen.  Bee,  supported 
by  Bartow  and  Evans,  just  in  rear  of  the  Robinson  House, 
and  Hani] 'ton's  Legion  which  had  been  already  advanced, 
and  was  in  position  near  it. 

Imboden's  Battery,  which  had  been  handled  with  marked 
skill,  but  whose  men  were  almost  exhausted,  and  the  two 
pieces  of  Walton's  Battery,  under  Lieut.  Richardson,  being 
threatened  by  the  enemy's  infantry  on  the  left  and  front, 
woe  also  obliged  to  fall  back — Imboden  leaving  a  disabled 
piece  on  the  ground  retired  until  lie  met  Jackson's  Brigade, 
while  Richardson  joined  the  main  body  of  his  battery  near 
the  Lewis  I  louse. 

A.B  our  infantry  retired  from  the  extreme  front,  the  two 
Biz-pounders  of  Latham's  Battery,  before  mentioned,  fell 
back  with  excellcnl  judgment  to  suitable  positions  in  the 
rear,  whence  an  effective  fire  was  maintained  upon  the  still 
advancing  lines  of  the  Federalists,  with  damaging  effect, 
until  their  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  when  they,  too, 

were  withdrawn   in  the  mar  presence  of  the  enemy,  and  re- 
joined their  captain. 

Prom  the  point,  previously  indicated,  where  Genera] 
Johnston  and  myself  had  established  our  headquarters,  we 
heard  the  continuous  roll  of  musketry,  and  the  sustained 
din  of  the  artillery,  which  announced  the  serious  outburst 
of  the  battle  on  our  left  flank,  ami  we  anxiously,  hut  confi- 
dently, awaited  similar  sound-  of  conflict   from  our  front  ;it 


26 

Centreville,  resulting  from  the  prescribed  attack  in  that 
quarter,  b}7  our  right  wing. 

At  half  past  ten,  A.  M.,  however,  this  expectation  was  dis- 
sipated by  a  dispatch  from  Brig.  Gen.  Ewell,  informing  me,  to 
my  profound  disappointment,  that  my  orders  for  his  ad- 
vance had  miscarried,  but,  that  in  consequence  of  a  com- 
munication from  General  D.  R.  Jones,  he  had  just  thrown 
his  brigade  across  the  stream  at  Union  Mills.  But,  in  my 
judgment,  it  was  now  too  late  for  the  effective  execution  of 
the  contemplated  movement,  which  must  have  required  quite 
three  hours  for  the  troops  to  get  into  position  for  the  attack. 
Therefore,  it  became  immediately  necessary  to  depend  on 
new  combinations,  and  other  dispositions  suited  to  the  now 
pressing  exigency.  The  movement  of  the  right  and  centre, 
already  begun  by  Jones  and  Longstreet,  was  at  once  coun- 
termanded, with  the  sanction  of  General  Johnston,  and  we 
arranged  to  meet  the  enemy  on  the  field  upon  which  he  had 
chosen  to  give  us  battle.  Under  these  circumstances,  our 
reserves,  not  already  in  movement,  were  immediately  ordered 
up  to  support  our  left  flank,  namely :  Holmes's  two  regi- 
ments, and  battery  of  artillery,  under  Captain  Lindsey 
Walker,  of  six  guns,  and  Earley's  Brigade.  Two  regiments 
from  Bonham's  brigade,  with  Kemper's  four  six-pounders 
were  also  called  for,  and,  with  the  sanction  of  General 
Johnston,  Generals  Ewell,  Jones,  (D.  R.,)  Longstreet  and 
Bonham  were  directed  to  make  a  demonstration  to  their 
several  fronts  to  retain  and  engross  the  enemy's  reserves 
and  any  forces  on  their  flank,  and  at  and  around  Centreville. 
Previously,  our  respective  Chiefs  of  Staff,  Major  Rhett  and 
Colonel  Jordan,  had  been  left  at  my  headquarters  to  hasten 
up,  and  give  directions  to  any  troops  that  might  arrive  at 
Manassas. 

These  orders  having  been  duly  dispatched  by  staff  officers 
at  11.30,  A.  M.,  General  Johnston  and  myself  set  out  for 
the  immediate  field  of  action,  which  we  reached  in  rear  of 
the  Robinson  and  Widow  Henry's  Houses,  at  about  12  meri- 
dian, and  just  as  the  commands  of  Bee,  Bartow  and  Evans, 
had  taken  shelter  in  a  wooded  ravine  behind  the  former, 
stoutly  held  at  the  time  by  Hampton  with  his  Legion,  which 
had  made  a  stand  there  after  having  previously  been  as  far 
forward  as  the  Turnpike,  where  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnston, 
an  officer  of  brilliant  promise,  was  killed,  and  other  severe 
losses  were  sustained. 

Before  our  arrival  upon  the  scene,  General  Jackson  had 


27 

moved  forward  with  his  Brigade,  of  five  Virginia  regiments, 
from  his  position  in  reserve,  and  had  judiciously  taken  post 
helow  the  brim  of  the  plateau,  nearly  east  of  the  Henry 
House,  and  to  the  left  of  the  ravine  and  woods  occupied  by 
the  mingled  remnants  of  Bee's,  Bartow's  and  Evans's  com- 
mand, with  Imboden's  Battery,  and  two  of  Stanard's  pieces, 
placed  so  as  to  play  upon  the  on-coming  enemy,  supported 
in  the  immediate  rear  by  Colonel  J.  L.  Preston's  and  Lieut. 
Colonel  Echols's  Regiments,  on  the  right  by  Harper's,  and 
on  the  left  by  Allen's  and  Cummings's  Regiment. 

As  soon  as  General  Johnston  and  myself  readied  the 
field,  we  were  occupied  with  the  reorganization  of  the  heroic 
troops,  whose  previous  stand,  with  scarce  a  parallel,  has 
nothing  more  valiant  in  all  the  pages  of  history,  and  whose 
losses  fitly  tell  why,  at  length,  their  ranks  had  lost  their 
cohesion.  It  was  now  that  General  Johnston,  impressively  and 
gallantly  charged  to  the  front,  with  the  colors  of  the  Fourth 
Alabama  Regiment  by  his  side,  all  the  field  officers  of  the 
regiment  having  been  previously  disabled.  Shortly  after- 
wards I  placed  S.  11.  Gist.  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General 
of  South  Carolina,  a  volunteer  Aid  of  General  Bee,  in  com- 
mand of  this  regiment,  and  who  led  it  again  to  the  front 
as  became  its  previous  behavior,  and  remained  with  it  for  the 
rest  of  the  day. 

As  soon  as  we  had  thus  rallied  and  dispose!  our  forces,  I 
urged  General  Johnston  to  leave  the  immediate  conduct  of 
the  field  to  me,  while  he,  repairing  to  Portici — the  Lewis 
H,, use— should  urge  reinforcements  forward.  At  first  he 
was  unwilling,  but  reminded  that  one  of  us  must  do  so,  and 
that,  properly,  it  was  his  place,  he  reluctantly,  but  fortu- 
nately, complied ;  fortunately,  because  from  that  position, 
by  his  energy  and  sagacity,  his  keen  perception  and  antici- 
pation of  my  needs,  he  so  directed  the  reserves  as  t<>  ensure 
the  success  of  the  day. 

As  Genera]  Johnston  departed  for  Portici,  Colonel  Bar- 
tow reported  to  me  with  the  remains  of  the  Seventh  Georgia 
volunteers— Gartrell' i — which  I  ordered  him  to  post  on  the 
left  of  Jackson's  line,  in  the  edge  of  the  belt  of  pines  bor- 
dering the    SOUth-easterD    rim    of  the   plateau,  on  which    the 

battle  was  now  to  rage  so  long  and  so  fiercely. 

Col.  Wm.  Smith's  Battalion  of  the  49th  Virginia  Volun- 
teers, having  also  come  up  by  my  orders,  I  placed  it  on  the 
left  of  Gartrell's  as  my  extreme  left  at  the  time.  Repairing 
then  to  the  right,  I  placed  Hampton's   Legion,    which  had 


28 

suffered  greatly,  on  that  flank,  somewhat  to  the  rear  of  Har- 
per's Regiment,  and  also  the  seven  companies,  of  the  8th 
(Hunton's)  Virginia  Regiment,  which,  detached  from  Cocke's 
Brigade,  by  my  orders,  and  those  of  Gen.  Johnston,  had  op- 
portunely reached  the  ground.  These,  with  Harper's  Regi- 
ment, constituted  a  reserve,  to  protect  our  right  flank  from 
an  advance  of  the  enemy  from  the  quarter  of  the  Stone 
Bridge,  and  served  as  a  support  for  the  line  of  battle,  which 
was  formed  on  the  right  by  Bee's  and  Evans's  commands,  in 
the  centre  by  four  regiments  of  Jackson's  Brigade,  with  Im- 
boden's  four  six-pounders,  Walton's  five  guns  (two  rifled,) 
two  guns  (one  piece  rifled)  of  Stanard's  and  two  six-pound- 
ers, of  Rogers's  Batteries,  the  latter  under  Lt.  Heaton  ;  and 
on  the  left  by  Gartrell's  reduced  ranks  and  Col.  Smith's  batta- 
lion, subsequently  reinforced  by  Falkner's  Second  Mississippi 
Regiment,  and  by  another  regiment  of  the  Army  of  Shenan- 
doah, just  arrived  upon  the  field,  the  Sixth  (Fisher's)  North 
Carolina.  Confronting  the  enemy  at  this  time,  my  forces 
numbered,  at  most,  not  more  than  6,500  infantry  and  artil- 
lerists, with  but  thirteen  pieces  of  artillery,  and  two  com- 
panies (Carter's  and  Hoge's)  of  Stuart's  cavalry. 

The  enemy's  force,  now  bearing  hotly  and  confidently 
down  on  our  position — regiment  after  regiment  of  the  best 
equipped  men  that  ever  took  the  field — according  to  their 
own  official  history  of  the  clay,  was  formed  of  Colonels 
Hunter's  and  Heintzelman's  Divisions,  Colonels  Sherman's 
and  Keyes's  Brigades,  of  Tyler's  Division,  and  of  the  formi- 
dable batteries  of  Ricketts,  Griffin  and  Arnold  regulars, 
and  Second  Rhode  Island,  and  two  Dahlgreen  howitzers — a 
force  of  over  20,000  infantry,  seven  companies  of  regular 
cavalry,  and  twenty-four  pieces  of  improved  artillery.  At 
the  same  time,  perilous,  heavy  reserves  of  infantry  and  ar- 
tillery hung  in  the  distance  around  the  Stone  Bridge,  Mitch- 
ell's, Blackburn's  and  Union  Mills'  Fords,  visibly  ready  to 
fall  upon  us  at  any  moment ;  and  I  was  also  assured  of  the 
existence  of  other  heavy  corps,  at  and  around  Centreville 
and  elsewhere,  within  convenient  supporting  distances. 

Fully  conscious  of  this  portentous  disparity  of  force,  as  I 
posted  the  lines  for  the  encounter,  I  sought  to  infuse  into 
the  hearts  of  my  officers  and  men,  the  confidence  and  deter- 
mined spirit  of  resistance  to  this  wicked  invasion  of  the 
homes  of  a  free  people,  which  I  felt.  I  informed  them  that 
reinforcements  would  rapidly  come  to  their  support,  and  that 
we  must,  at  all  hazards,  hold    our  posts  until  reinforced.     I 


reminded  them  that  we  fought  for  our  homes,  our  firesides, 
and  for  the  independence  of  our  country.  I  urged  them  to 
the  resolution  of  victory  or  deatli  on  that  field.  These  sen- 
timents were  loudly,  eagerly  cheered,  "wheresoever  proclaim- 
ed, and  I  then  felt  reassured  of  die  unconquerable  spirit  of 
that  army,  which  would  enable  us  to  wrench  victory  from  the 
host  then  threatening  us  with  destruction. 

Oh,  my  country  !  I  would  readily  have  sacrificed  my  life 
and  those  of  all  the  brave  men  around  me.  to  save  your 
honor,  and  to  maintain  your  independence  from  the  degrad- 
ing yoke  which  those  ruthless  invaders  had  come  to  impose 
and  render  perpetual,  and  the  day's  issue  has  assured  me, 
that  such  emotions  must  also  have  animated  all  under  my 
command. 

In  the  meantime,  the  enemy  had  seized  upon  the  plateau, 
on  which  Robinson's  and  the  Henry  Houses  are  situated — 
the  position  first  occupied  in  the  morning  by  Gen.  Bee,  be- 
fore advancing  to  the  support  of  Evans — Ricketts'  Battery, 
of  six  rifle  guns,  the  pride  of  the  Federalists,  the  object  of 
their  unstinted  expenditure  in  outfit,  and  the  equally  power- 
ful Regular  Light  Battery,  of  Griffin,  were  brought  forward 
and  placed  in  immediate  action,  after  having,  conjointly  with 
the  batteries  already  mentioned,  played  from  former  posi- 
tions with  destructive  effect  upon  our  forward  battalions. 

The  topographical  features  of  the  plateau,  now  become  the 
stage  of  the  contending  armies,  must  be  described  in 
outline. 

A  glance  at  the  map,  will  show  that  it  is  enclosed  on  three 
sides  by  small  water  courses,  which  empty  into  Bull  Run 
within  a  few  yards  of  each  other,  a  half-a-mile  to  the  south 
of  the  Stone  Bridge.  Rising  to  an  elevation  of  quite  one 
hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  Bull  Run  at  the  Bridge,  it 
falls  off  on  three  sides  to  the  level  of  the  enclosing  streams 
in  gentle  slopes,  but  which  are  furrowed  by  ravines  of 
irregular  direction  and  length,  and  studded  with  clumps  and 

patches  of  young  pines  and  oaks.  The  genera]  direction  of 
the  crest  of  the  plateau,  is  oblique  to  the  course  of  Bull 
Run  in  that  quarter,  and  to  the  Brentsville  and  Turnpike 
Roads  which  intersect  each  other  at  right  angles.  (imme- 
diately surrounding  the  two  houses,  before  mentioned,  are 
small  open  fields  of  irregular  outline,  not  exceeding  160 
acres  in  extent.  The  houses  occupied  at  the  time,  the  one 
by  the  Widow  Henry  and  the  other  by  the  free  oegro  Robin- 
son, are  small  wooden  buildings,  the  latter  !•  nsely  embow- 


30 

ered  in  trees,  and  environed  by  a  double  row  of  fences  on 
two  sides.  Around  the  eastern  and  southern  brow  of  the 
plateau,  an  almost  unbroken  fringe  of  second-growth  pines, 
gave  excellent  shelter  for  our  marksmen,  who  availed  them- 
selves of  it  with  the  most  satisfactory  skill.  To  the  west, 
adjoining  the  fields,  a  broad  belt  of  oaks  extends  directly 
across  the  crest  on  both  sides  of  the  Sudley  Road,  in  which, 
during  the  battle,  regiments  of  both  armies  met  and  con- 
tended for  the  mastery. 

From  the  open  ground  of  this  plateau  the  view  embraces 
a  wide  expanse  of  woods,  and  gently  undulating,  open 
country  of  broad  grass  and  grain  fields  in  all  directions,  in- 
cluding the  scene  of  Evans  and  Bee's  recent  encounter  with 
the  enemy,  some  1,200  yards  to  the  northward. 

In  reply  to  the  play  of  the  enemy's  batteries  our  own  ar- 
tillery had  not  been  either  idle  or  unskillful.  The  ground 
occupied  by  our  guns,  on  a  level  with  that  held  by  the  bat- 
teries of  the  enemy,  was  an  open  space,  oi  limited  extent, 
behind  a  low  undulation,  just  at  the  eastern  verge  of  the 
plateau,  some  51)0  or  GOD  yards  from  the  Henry  House. 
Here,  as  before  said,  13  pieces,  mostly  six-pounders,  were 
maintained  in  action.  The  several  batteries  of  Imboden, 
Stanard,  Pendleton,  (Rockbridge  Artillery),  and  Alburtis's, 
of  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  five  guns  of  Walton's, 
and  Heaton's  section  of  Rogers's  Battery,  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  alternating,  to  some  extent,  with  each  other, 
and  taking  part  as  needed  :  all  from  the  outset  displaying 
that  marvellous  capacity  of  our  people,  as  artillerists,  which 
has  made  them,  it  would  appear,  at  once  the  terror  and  the 
admiration  of  the  enemy. 

As  was  soon  apparent,  the  Federalists  had  suffered  se- 
verely from  our  artillery,  and  from  the  fire  of  our  musketry 
on  the  right,  and  especially  from  the  left  flank,  placed  under 
cover,  within  whose  galling  range  they  had  been  advanced. 
And  we  are  told  in  their  official  reports,  how  regiment  after 
regiment,  thrown  forward  to  dislodge  us,  was  broken,  never 
to  recover  its  entire  organization  on  that  field. 

In  the  meantime,  also,  two  companies  of  Stuart's  cavalry 
(Carter's  and  Hoge's),  made  a  dashing  charge  down  the 
Brentsville  and  Sudley  road  upon  the  Fire  Zouaves — then 
the  enemy's  right  on  the  plateau — which  added  to  their  dis- 
order, wrought  by  our  musketry,  on  that  flank.  But  still, 
the  press  of  the  enemy  was  heavy  in  that  quarter  of  the 
field,  as  fresh  troops  were  thrown  forward  there  to  outflank 


31 

us  ;  and  some  three  guns  of  a  battery,  in  an  attempt  to  ob- 
tain a  position,  apparently  to  enfilade  our  batteries,  were 
thrown  so  close  to  the  33d  Regiment,  Jackson's  Brigade, 
that  that  regiment,  springing  forward,  seized  them,  but  with 
severe  loss,  and  was  subsequently  driven  back  by  an  over- 
powering force  of  Federal  musketry. 

Now,  full  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  gave  the  order  for  the  right 
of  my  line,  except  my  reserves,  to  advance  to  recover  the 
plateau.  It  was  done  with  uncommon  resolution  and  vigor, 
and  at  the  same  time  Jackson's  Brigade  pierced  the  enemy's 
centre  with  the  determination  of  veterans,  and  the  spirit  of 
men  who  fight  for  a  sacred  cause  ;  but  it  suffered  seriously. 
With  equal  spirit  the  other  parts  of  the  line  made  the  onset, 
and  the  Federal  lines  were  broken  and  swept  back  at  all 
points  from  the  open  ground  of  the  plateau.  Rallying  soon, 
however,  as  they  were  strongly  reinforced  by  fresh  regi- 
ments, the  Federalists  returned,  and  by  weight  of  numbers, 
pressed  our  lines  back,  recovered  their  ground  and  guns, 
and  renewed  the  offensive. 

By  this  time,  between  half-past  2  and  3  o'clock,  P.  M., 
our  reinforcements  pushed  forward,  and  directed  by  General 
Johnston  to  the  required  quarter,  were  at  hand  just  as  I  had 
ordered  forward,  to  a  second  effort,  for  the  recovery  of  the 
disputed  plateau,  the  whole  line,  including  my  reserve, 
which,  at  this  crisis  of  the  battle,  I  felt  called  upon  to  lead 
in  person.  This  attack  was  general,  and  was  shared  in  by 
every  regiment  then  in  the  field,  including  the  6th,  Fisher's 
North  Carolina  regiment,  which  had  just  come  up  and  taken 
position  on  the  immediate  left  of  the  49th  Virginia  Regiment. 
The  whole  open  ground  was  again  swept  clear  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  plateau  around  the  Henry  and  Robinson  Houses  re- 
mained finally  in  our  possession,  with  the  greater  part  of 
the    RickettS    and    Griffin    batteries,    and    a    flag   of  the    1st 

Michigan  Regiment,  captured  by  the  27th  Virginia  Regiment, 
(Lieut.  Col.  Echols.)  of  Jackson's  Brigade.  This  part  of 
the  day  was  rich  with  deeds  of  individual  coolness  and 
dauntless  conduct,  as  well  as  well-directed,  embodied  reso- 
lution and  bravery,  but  fraught  with  the  ]<>ss  to  the  Bervice 
of  the  country,  of  lives  of  inestimable  preciousness  at  this 
juncture.  The  brave  Bee  was  mortally  wounded  at  the 
head  of  the   4th   Alabama   and  some  Mississippiana,  in  the 

Open  held  near  the  Henry  BottSS  ;    and  a  few  yards  distant, 

the  promising  life  of  Bartow,  while  leading  the  7th  Georgia 

Regiment,  was  quenched  in  blood.      Col.  F.  J.  Thomas.  Act- 


ing  Chief  of  Ordnance,  of  Gen.  Johnston's  Staff,  after  gal- 
lant conduct  and  most  efficient  service,  was  also  slain.  Col. 
Fisher — 6th  North  Carolina — likewise  fell,  after  soldierly 
behavior  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  with  ranks  greatly 
thinned. 

Withers's  18th  Regiment,  of  Cocke's  Brigade,  had  come  up 
in  time  to  follow  this  charge,  and  in  conjunction  with 
Hampton's  Legion,  captured  several  rifle  pieces,  which  may 
have  fallen  previously  in  possession  of  some  of  our  troops ; 
but,  if  so,  had  been  recovered  by  the  enemy.  These  pieces 
were  immediately  turned,  and  effectively  served  on  distant 
masses  of  the  enemy,  by  the  hands  of  some   of  our  officers. 

While  the  enemy  had  thus  been  driven  back  on  our  right, 
entirely  across  the  turnpike  and  beyond  Young's  Branch, 
on  our  left,  the  woods  yet  swarmed  with  them,  when  our  re- 
inforcements opportunely  arrived  in  quick  succession,  and 
took  position  in  that  portion  of  the  field.  Kershaw's  2nd 
and  Cash's  8th  South  Carolina  Regiments,  which  had  arrived 
soon  after  Withers's,  were  led  through  the  oaks  just  east  of 
the  Sudley-Brentsville  Road,  brushing  some  of  the  enemy 
before  them,  and  taking  an  advantageous  position  along  and 
west  of  that  road,  opened  with  much  skill  and  effect  on 
bodies  of  the  enemy  that  had  been  rallied  under  cover  of  a 
strong  Federal  brigade,  posted  on  a  plateau  in  the  south- 
west angle,  formed  by  intersection  of  the  Turnpike  with  the 
S.-B.  Road.  Among  the  troops  thus  engaged,  were  the 
Federal  regular  infantry. 

At  the  same  time,  Kemper's  Battery,  passing  northward 
by  the  S.-B.  Road,  took  position  on  the  open  space — under 
orders  of  Colonel  Kershaw — near  where  an  enemy's  bat- 
tery had  been  captured,  and  was  opened  with  effective  re- 
sults upon  the  Federal  right,  then  the  mark  also  of  Ker- 
shaw and  Cash's  Regiments. 

Preston's  28th  Regiment,  of  Cocke's  Brigade,  had  by  that 
time,  entered  the  same  body  of  oaks,  and  encountered  some 
Michigan  troops,  capturing  their  Brigade  Commander,  Col. 
Wilcox. 

Another  important  accession  to  our  forces  had  also  oc- 
curred about  the  same  time,  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  Brigadier 
Gen.  E.  K.  Smith,  with  some  1,700  infantry  of  Elzey's 
Brigade,  of  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  Beckham's 
Battery,  came  upon  the  field,  from  Camp  Pickens,  Manassas, 
where  they  had  arrived  by  railroad  at  noon.  Directed  in 
person  by  Gen.  Johnston,  to  the  left,  then  so  much  endan- 


33 

gered,  on  reaching  a  position  in  rear  of  the  oak  woods, 
south  of  the  Henry  House,  and  immediately  cast  of  the 
Sudley  Road,  Gen.  Smith  was  disabled  by  a  severe  wound, 
and  his  valuable  services  were  lost  at  that  critical  juncture. 
But  the  command  devolved  upon  a  meritorious  officer  of  ex- 
perience— Col.  Elzey — who  led  his  infantry  at  once  some- 
what further  to  the  left,  in  the  direction  of  the  Chinn 
House,  across  the  road,  through  the  oaks  skirting  the  west 
side  of  the  road,  and  around  which  he  sent  the  battery  un- 
der Lieut.  Beckham.  This  officer  took  up  a  most  favorable 
position  near  that  house,  whence,  with  a  clear  view  of  the 
Federal  right  and  centre,  filling  the  open  fields  to  the  west 
of  the  Brentsville-Sudley  Road,  and  gently  sloping  south- 
ward,  he  opened  fire  with  his  battery  upon  them  with  deadly 
and  damaging  effect. 

Col.  Early,  who,  by  some  mischance,  did  not  receive  or- 
ders until  2  o'clock,  which  had  been  sent  him  at  noon,  came 
on  the  ground  immediately  after  Elzey,  with  Kemper's  7th 
Virginia,  Hays's  7th  Louisiana,  and  Barksdale's  13th  Mis- 
sissippi regiments.  This  Brigade,  by  the  personal  direction 
of  General  Johnston,  was  marched  by  the  Holkham  House, 
across  the  fields  to  the  left,  entirely  around  the  woods 
through  which  Elzey  had  passed,  and  under  a  severe  fire, 
into  a  position  in  line  of  battle  near  Chinn's  House,  out- 
flanking the  enemy's  right. 

At  this  time,  about  3.30,  P.  M.,  the  enemy  driven  back  on 
their  left  and  centre,  and  brushed  from  the  woods  bordering 
the  Sudley  Road,  south  and  west  of  the  Henry  House,  had 
formed  a  line  of  battle  of  truly  formidable  proportions,  of 
crescent  outline,  reaching  on  their  left,  from  vicinity  of 
Pittsylvania,  (the  old  Carter  Mansion),  by  Matthew's  and 
in  rear  of  Dogan's,  across  the  Turnpike  near  to  Chinn's 
House.  The  woods  and  fields  were  filled  with  their  masses 
of  infantry  and  their  carefully  preserved  cavalry.  It  was 
a  truly  magnificent,  through  redoubtable  spectacle,  as  they 
threw  forward  in  fine  style,  on  the  broad  gentle  slopes  of  the 
ridge  occupied  by  their  main  lines.  I  cloud  of  skirmish 
preparatory  for  another  attack. 

But  a>  Early  formed  his  line,  and  Beckham's  pieces  play- 
ed upon  the  right  of  the  enemy,  Elzey's  Brigade,  Gibbon's 
I Oth  Virginia,  Lieut.  Col.  Stuart's  1st  Maryland,  and 
Vaughan's  3d  Tennessee  Regiments,  and  Cash's  8th  and  Ker- 
shaw's 2d  South  Carolina,  Withers'!  18th  and  Preston's  28th 
Virginia,  advanced  in  an  irregular  line,  almost  simultanc- 
3 


34 

ously,  with  great  spirit  from  their  several  positions,  upon 
the  front  and  flanks  of  the  enemy,  in  their  quarter  of  the 
field.  At  the  same  time,  too,  Early  resolutely  assailed  their 
right  flank  and  rear.  Under  this  combined  attack,  the  ene- 
my was  soon  forced,  first  over  the  narrow  plateau  in  the 
southern  angle  made  by  the  two  roads  so  often  mentioned, 
into  a  patch  of  woods  on  its  western  slope,  thence  back  over 
Young's  Branch  and  the  Turnpike,  into  the  fields  of  the 
Dogan  Farm,  and  rearward  in  extreme  disorder,  in  all  avail- 
able directions,  towards  Bull  Run.  The  rout  had  now  be- 
come general  and  complete. 

About  the  time  that  Elzey  and  Early  were  entering  into 
action,  a  column  of  the  enemy,  Keyes's  Brigade  of  Tyler's 
Division,  made  its  way  across  the  Turnpike  between  Bull  Run 
and  the  Robinson  House,  under  cover  of  a  wood  and  brow 
of  the  ridges,  apparently  to  turn  my  right,  but  was  easily 
repulsed  by  a  few  shots  from  Latham's  Battery,  now  united 
and  placed  in  position  by  Captain  D.  B.  Harris,  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Engineers,  whose  services  during  the  day  became  his 
character  as  an  able,  cool  and  skillful  officer ;  and  from  Al- 
burtis's  Battery,  opportunely  ordered,  by  General  Jackson, 
to  a  position  to  the  right  of  Latham,  on  a  hill  commanding 
the  line  of  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  supported  by  por- 
tions of  regiments  collected  together  by  the  Staff  Officers  of 
General  Johnston  and  myself. 

Early's  Brigade,  meanwhile,  joined  by  the  19th  Virginia 
Regiment,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Strange,  of  Cocke's  Brigade, 
pursued  the  now  panic-stricken,  fugitive  enemy.  Stuart, 
with  his  cavalry,  and  Beckham,  had  also  taken  up  the  pur- 
suit along  the  road  by  which  the  enemy  had  come  upon  the 
field  that  morning;  but  soon,  cumbered  by  prisoners  who 
thronged  his  way,  the  former  was  unable  to  attack  the  mass 
of  the  fast-fleeing,  frantic  Federalists.  Withers's,  R.  T. 
Preston's,  Cash's  and  Kershaw's  Regiments,  Hampton's  Le- 
gion and  Kemper's  Battery  also  pursued  along  the  Warren- 
ton  road  by  the  Stone  Bridge,  the  enemy  having  opportunely 
opened  a  way  for  them  through  the  heavy  abatis  which  my 
troops  had  made  on  the  west  side  of  the  bridge  several  days 
before.  But  this  pursuit  was  soon  recalled,  in  consequence 
of  a  false  report  which  unfortunately  reached  us,  that  the 
enemy's  reserves,  known  to  be  fresh  and  of  considerable 
strength,  were  threatening  the  position  of  Union  Mills 
Ford. 

Colonel  Radford,  with   six  companies  Virginia  cavalry, 


35 

was  also  ordered  by  General  Johnston  to  cross  Bull  Run 
and  attack  the  enemy  from  the  direction  of  Lewis's  House ; 
conducted  by  one  of  my  Aids,  Colonel  Chisholm,  by  the 
Lewis  Ford,  to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Suspension 
Bridge,  he  charged  a  battery  with  great  gallantry,  took  Colo- 
nel Corcoran,  of  the  69th  regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  a 
prisoner,  and  captured  the  Federal  colors  of  that  regiment, 
as  well  as  a  number  of  the  enemy.  He  lost,  however,  a 
promising  officer  of  his  regiment,  Captain  Winston  Radford. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Munford  also  led  some  companies  of 
cavalry  in  hot  pursuit,  and  rendered  material  service  in  the 
capture  of  prisoners  and  of  cannon,  horses,  ammunition, 
&c,  abandoned  by  the  enemy  in  their  flight. 

Captain  Lay's  company  of  the  Powhatan  troops,  and  Ut- 
terback's  Rangers,  Virginia  volunteers,  attached  to  my  per- 
son, did  material  service,  under  Captain  Lay,  in  rallying 
troops  broken  for  the  time  by  the  onset  of  the  enemy's 
masses. 

During  the  period  of  the  momentous  events  fraught  with 
the  weal  of  our  country,  which  were  passing  on  the  blood- 
stained plateau  along  the  Sudley  and  Warrenton  Roads,  other 
portions  of  the  line  of  Bull  Run  had  not  been  void  of  ac- 
tion of  moment  and  of  influence  upon  the  gencnil  result. 

"While  Colonel  Evans  and  his  sturdy  band  were  holding  at 
bay  the  Federal  advance  beyond  the  Turnpike,  the  enemy 
made   repeated  demonstrations,  with  artillery  and  infantry,, 
upon  the  line  of  Cocke's  Brigade,  with  the  serious  intention 
of  forcing  the  position,  as  General  Schenck    admits   in   his 
report.      They   were  driven  back   with   severe  loss    by   La- 
tham's (a  section)  and  R  Lf'Ts's  four  six-pounders,  and  were- 
so  impressed  with  the  strength  of  that   line  as  to  be  held   in. 
check  and  inactive,  even  after  it  had  been  stripped  of  all  its- 
troops  bul  one  company  of  the  10th  Virginia  Regiment,  un- 
der Captain  Duke,  a  meritorious  officer.      And  it  is  worthy- 
of  notice   that,  in    this   encounter  of  our  six-pounder   guns, 
handled  by  our  volunteer  artillerists,  they  had  worsted  such 
a  notorious  adversary  a-  the  Ayres's — formerly  ShermanJs — 
Battery,  which  quil  the  contest  under  the  illusion  that  it  had, 

Weightier  metal  than   its  own  to  contend  with. 

The  centre  Brigades — Bonham'sand  Longstreet's — of  the 

line  of  Bull  llun.  if  not  closely  engaged,  were  nevertheless 
exposed   for  much  of  the  day  to  an  annoying,  almost   inces- 

sanl  fire  of  artillery  of  long  range;  hut.  by  a  steady,  vete- 
ran-like maintenance  of  their  positions,  they  held,  virtually 


36 

paralyzed  all  day,  two  strong  brigades  of  the  enemy,  with 
their  batteries  (four)  of  rifle  guns. 

As  before  said,  two  regiments  of  Bonham's  Brigade,  2nd 
and  8th  South  Carolina  volunteers,  and  Kemper's  Battery, 
took  a  distinguished  part  in  the  battle.  The  remainder,  3rd 
Williams's,  7th  Bacon's  South  Carolina  volunteers;  1  Ith 
(Kirkland's)  North  Carolina  Regiment ;  six  companies  8th 
Louisiana  volunteers ;  Shield's  Battery,  and  one  section  of 
Walton's  Battery,  under  Lieutentant  Garnett,  whether  in 
holding  their  post  or  taking  up  the  pursuit,  officers  and 
men,  discharged  their  duty  with  credit  and  promise. 

Longstreet's  Brigade,  pursuant  to  orders  prescribing  his 
part  of  the  operations  of  the  centre  and  right  wing,  was 
thrown  across  Bull  Bun  early  in  the  morning,  and  under  a 
severe  fire  of  artillery,  Avas  skillfully  disposed  for  the  assault 
of  the  enemy's  batteries  in  that  quarter,  but  were  withdrawn 
subsequently,  in  consequence  of  the  change  of  plan  already 
mentioned  and  explained.  The  troops  of  this  brigade  were, 
1st,  Major  Skinner;  11th,  Garland's;  24th,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hairston ;  17th,  Corse,  Virginia  Regiments;  5th 
North  Carolina,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jones,  and  Whitehead's 
company  Virginia  cavalry.  Throughout  the  day  these  troops 
evinced  the  most  soldierly  spirit. 

After  the  rout,  having  been  ordered  by  General  Johnston 
in  the  direction  of  Centreville  in  pursuit,  these  brigades 
advanced  near  to  that  place,  when  night  and  darkness  inter- 
vening, General  Bonham  thought  it  proper  to  direct  his 
own  brigade  and  that  of  General  Longstreet  back  to  Bull 
Run. 

General  D.  R.  Jones  early  in  the  day  crossing  Bull  Run 
with  his  brigade,  pursuant  to  orders,  indicating  his  part  in 
the  projected  attack  by  our  right  wing  and  centre  on  the 
enemy  at  Centreville,  took  up  a  position  on  the  Union  Mills 
and  Centreville  Road,  more  than  a  mile  in  advance  of  the 
Run.  Ordered  back,  in  consequence  of  the  miscarriage  of 
the  orders  to  General  Ewell,  the  retrogade  movement  was 
necessarily  made  under  a  sharp  fire  of  artillery. 

At  noon  this  brigade,  in  obedience  to  new  instructions, 
was  again  thrown  across  Bull  Run  to  make  demonstrations. 
Unsupported  by  other  troops,  the  advance  was  gallantly 
made  until  Avithin  musket  range  of  the  enemy's  force — Col- 
'Onel  Davies'  Brigade,  in  position  near  Rocky  Run,  and  under 
the  concentrated  fire  of  their  artillery.  In  this  affair  the 
oth,  Jenkins's  South  Carolina,  and  Captain  Fountaine's  com- 


37 

pany  of  the  18th  Mississippi  Regiment  are  mentioned  by 
General  Jones  as  having  shown  conspicuous  gallantry,  cool- 
ness and  discipline,  under  a  combined  fire  of  infantry  and 
artillery.  Not  only  did  the  return  fire  of  the  brigade  drive 
to  cover  the  enemy's  infantry,  but  the  movement  unques- 
tionably spread  through  the  enemy's  ranks  a  sense  of  inse- 
curity and  danger  from  an  attack  by  that  route  on  their  rear 
at  Centreville,  which  served  to  augment  the  extraordinary 
panic  which  we  know  disbanded  the  entire  Federal  Army 
for  the  time.  This  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  Colonel 
Davies,  the  immediate  adversary's  commander,  in  his  official 
report  was  induced  to  magnify  one  small  company  of  our 
cavalry,  which  accompanied  the  brigade,  into  a  force  of 
2,000  men ;  -and  Colonel  Miles,  the  commander  of  the  Fed- 
eral Reserves  at  Centreville,  says  the  movement  "  caused 
painful  apprehensions  for  the  left  flank"  of  their  army. 

General  Ewell,  occupying  for  the  time  the  right  of  the 
lines  of  Bull  Run  at  Union  Mills  Ford,  after  the  miscar- 
riage of  my  orders  for  his  advance  upon  Centreville,  in  the 
afternoon,  was  ordered  by  General  Johnston  to  bring  up  his 
brigade  into  battle  then  raging  on  the  left  flank.  Promptly 
executed  as  this  movement  was,  the  brigade,  after  a  severe 
march,  reached  the  field  too  late  to  share  the  glories,  as  they 
had  the  labors,  of  the  day.  As  the  important  position  at 
the  Union  Mills  had  been  left  with  but  a  slender  guard. 
General  Ewell  was  at  once  ordered  to  retrace  his  steps  and 
resume  his  position  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  its  seizure 
by  any  force  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter. 

Brigadier  General  Holmes — left  with  his  brigade  as  a  sup- 
port to  the  same  position  in  the  original  plan  of  battle — had 
also  been  called  to  the  left,  whither  he  marched  with  the 
utmost  speed,  but  not  in  time  to  join  actively  in  the  battle. 

Walker's  rifle  guns  of  the  brigade,  however,  came  up  in 
time  to  be  fired  with  precision  and  decided  execution  at  the 
retreating  enemy,  and  Scott's  cavalry,  joining  in  the  pur- 
suit, assisted  in  the  capture  of  prisoners  and  war  munitions. 

This  victory,  the  details  of  which  I  have  thus  sought  to 
chronicle  as  fully  as  were  fitting  an  official  report,  it  remains 
to  record,  was  dearly  won  by  the  death  of  many  officers  and 
men  of  inestimable  value,  belonging  to  all  grades  of  our 
society. 

In  the  death  of  General  Barnard  E.  Bee  the  Confederacy 
has  sustained  an  irreparable   loss,  for  with   great  personal 


38 

bravery  and  coolness,  he  possessed  the  qualities  of  an  accom- 
plished soldier,  and  an  able,  reliable  commander. 

Colonels  BartoAV  and  Fisher,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Johnson  of  Hampton's  Legion,  in  the  fearless  command  of 
their  men,  gave  earnest  of  great  usefulness  to  the  service, 
had  they  been  spared  to  complete  a  career  so  brilliantly 
begun.  Besides  the  field  officers,  already  mentioned  as  hav- 
ing been  wounded  while  in  the  gallant  discharge  of  their 
duties,  many  others  also  received  severe  wounds  after  equally 
honorable  and  distinguished  conduct,  whether  in  leading 
their  men  forward,  or  in  rallying  them,  when  overpowered  or 
temporarily  shattered  by  the  largely  superior  force,  to  which 
we  were  generally  opposed. 

The  subordinate  grades  were  likewise  abundantly  conspi- 
cuous for  zeal  and  capacity  for  the  leadership  of  men  in 
arms.  To  mention  all,  who,  fighting  well,  paid  the  lavish  for- 
feit of  their  lives,  or  at  least  crippled,  mutilated  bodies  on 
the  field  of  Manassas,  cannot  well  be  done  within  the  com- 
pass of  this  paper,  but  a  grateful  country  and  mourning 
friends  will  not  suffer  their  names  and  services  to  be  forgot- 
ten, and  pass  away  unhonored. 

Nor  are  those  officers  and  men  who  were  so  fortunate  as 
to  escape  the  thick-flying,  deadly  missiles,  of  the  enemy, 
less  worthy  of  praise  for  their  endurance,  firmness  and  valor 
than  their  brothers-in-arms,  whose  lives  were  closed,  or 
bodies  maimed,  on  that  memorable  day.  To  mention  all 
who  exhibited  ability  and  brilliant  courage,  were  impossible 
in  this  report ;  nor  do  the  reports  of  Brigade  and  other  sub- 
ordinate commanders,  supply  full  lists  of  all  actually  de- 
serving of  distinction.  I  can  only  mention  those  whose 
conduct  came  immediately  under  my  notice,  or  the  conse- 
quence of  whose  actions  happened  to  be  signally  important. 

It  is  fit  that  I  should,  in  this  way,  commend  to  notice  the 
dauntless  conduct  and  imperturbable  coolness  of  Col.  Evans; 
and  well  indeed  was  he  supported  by  Col.  Sloan  and  the 
officers  of  the  Fourth  South  Carolina  Regiment,  as  also, 
Major  Wheat,  than  whom,  no  one  displayed  more  brilliant 
courage  until  carried  from  the  field,  shot  through  the  lungs  ; 
though  happily,  not  mortally  stricken.  But  in  the  desperate- 
ly unequal  contest,  to  which  those  brave  gentlemen  were,  for 
a  time,  necessarily  exposed,  the  behavior  of  officers  and  men 
generally,  was  worthy  of  the  highest  admiration ;  and  as- 
suredly, hereafter,  all  there  present,  may  proudly  say  :  We 
were  of  that  band  who  fought  the   first  hour  of  the  battle  of 


39 

Manassas.  Equal  honors  and  credit  must  also  be  awarded  in 
the  pages  of  history,  to  the  gallant  officers  and  men.  who, 
under  Bee  and  Bartow,  subsequently  marching  to  their  side, 
saved  them  from  destruction,  and  relieved  them  from  the 
brunt  of  the  enemy's  attack. 

The  conduct  of  Gen.  Jackson  also  requires  mention  as 
eminently  that  of  an  able,  fearless  soldier,  and  sagacious 
commander,  one  fit  to  lead  his  efficient  brigade  :  his  prompt, 
timely  arrival  before  the  plateau  of  the  Henry  House,  and 
his  judicious  disposition  of  his  troops  contributed  much  to 
the  success  of  the  day.  Although  painfully  wounded  in  the 
hand,  he  remained  on  the  field  to  the  end  of  the  battle,  ren- 
dering invaluable  assistance. 

Col.  Wni.  Smith  was  as  efficient,  as  self-possessed  and 
brave  ;  the  influence  of  his  example  and  his  words  of  encour- 
agement was  not  confined  to  his  immediate  command,  the 
good  conduct  of  which  is  especially  noticeable,  inasmuch  as 
it  had  been  embodied  but  a  day  or  two  before  the  battle. 

Colonels  Harper,  Ilunton  and  Hampton,  commanding 
regiments  of  the  reserve,  attracted  my  notice,  by  their  sol- 
dierly ability,  as  with  their  gallant  commands,  they  restored 
the  fortunes  of  the  day,  at  a  time  when  the  enemy,  by  a  last 
desperate  onset,  with  heavy  odds,  had  driven  our  forces  from 
the  fiercely  contested  ground  around  the  Henry  and  Robin- 
son Houses.  Veterans  could  not  have  behaved  better  than 
these  well  led  regiments. 

High  praise  must  also  be  given  to  Colonels  Cocke,  Early 
and  Elze}7,  Brigade  Commanders;  also,  to  Col.  Kershaw, 
commanding,  for  the  time,  the  Second  and  Eighth  South 
Carolina  Regiments.  Under  the  instructions  of  General 
Johnston,  these  officers  reached  the  field  at  an  opportune, 
critical  moment,  and  disposed,  handled  and  fought  their  re- 
spective commands,  with  sagacity,  decision  and  successful 
results,  which  have  been  described  in  detail. 

Col.  J.  E.  il.  Stuart  likewise  deserves  mention,  for  his 
enterprise  and  ability  as  a  eavalry  eommander.  Through 
his  judicious  reconnoisance  of  tin.-  country  on  our  left  flank. 
):•'  acquired  information,  both  of  topographical  features  and 
the  positions  of  the  enemy,  of  the  utmost  importance  in  the 
subsequenl  an  !  closing  movements  of  the  day  on  that  Hank, 
and  his  services  in  the  pursuit,  were  highly  effective. 

Capt.  E.  I'.  Alexander,  C.  S.  Engineers,  gave  me  season- 
able and  material  assistance  early  in    the    day.  with  In- 
tern of  signals.     Almost  the  first  shot  fired    by  the  ei 


40 

passed  through  the  tent  of  his  party  at  the  Stone  Bridge, 
where  they  subsequently  firmly  maintained  their  position  in 
the  discharge  of  their  duty — the  transmission  of  messages 
of  the  enemy's  movements — for  several  hours  under  fire. 
Later,  Captain  Alexander  acted  as  my  Aid-de-Camp,  in  the 
transmission  of  orders,  and  in  observation  of  the  enemy. 

I  was  most  efficiently  served  throughout  the  day  by  my 
Volunteer  Aids,  Colonels  Preston,  Manning,  Chesnut,  Miles, 
Rice,  Heyward  and  Chisholm,  to  whom  I  tender  my  thanks 
for  their  unflagging,  intelligent  and  fearless  discharge  of  the 
laborious,  responsible  duties  entrusted  to  them.  To  Lieut. 
S.  W.  Ferguson,  A.  D.  C,  and  Col.  Heyward,  who  were 
habitually  at  my  side,  from  12  noon  until  the  close  of  the 
battle;  my  special  acknowledgments  are  due.  The  horse  of 
the  former  was  killed  under  him  by  the  same  shell  that 
wounded  that  of  the  latter.  Both  were  eminently  useful  to 
me,  and  were  distinguished  for  coolness  and  courage,  until 
the  enemy  gave  way  and  fled  in  wild  disorder  in  every  di- 
rection— a  scene  the  President  of  the  Confederacy  had  the 
high  satisfaction  of  witnessing,  as  he  arrived  upon  the  field 
at  that  exultant  moment. 

I  also  received,  from  the  time  I  reached  the  front,  such 
signal  service  from  H.  E.  Peyton,  at  the  time  a  private  in 
the  Loudoun  cavalry,  that  I  have  called  him  to  my  personal 
staff.  Similar  services  were  also  rendered  me,  repeatedly 
during  the  battle,  by  T.  J.  Randolph,  a  Volunteer  Acting 
A.  D.  C.  to  Colonel  Cocke. 

Captain  Clifton  H.  Smith,  of  the  General  Staff,  was  also 
present  on  the  field,  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  the 
transmission  of  orders. 

It  must  be  permitted  me  here,  to  record  my  profound 
sense  of  my  obligations  to  General  Johnston,  for  his  generous- 
permission  to  carry  out  my  plans,  with  such  modifications  as 
circumstances  had  required.  From  his  services  on  the  field, 
as  we  entered  it  together,  already  mentioned,  ond  his  sub- 
sequent watchful  management  of  the  reinforcements  as  they 
reached  the  vicinity  of  the  field,  our  countrymen  may  draw 
the  most  auspicious  auguries. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  Jordan,  my  efficient  and  z.ealous  As- 
sistant Adjutant-General,  much  credit  is  due  for  his  able 
assistance  in  the  organization  of  the  forces  under  my  com- 
mand and  for  the  intelligence  and  promptness  with  which 
he  has  discharged  all  the  laborious  and  important  duties  of 
his  office. 


41 

Valuable  assistance  was  given  to  me  by  Major  Cabell, 
chief  officer  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  in  the 
sphere  of  his  duties — duties  environed  by  far  more  than  the 
ordinary  difficulties  and  embarrassments  attending  the  ope- 
rations of  a  long  organized,  regular  establishment. 

Colonel  R.  B.  Lee,  Chief  of  Subsistence  Department,  had 
but  just  entered  upon  his  duties,  but  his  experience,  and 
long  and  varied  services  in  his  department,  made  him  as  effi- 
cient as  possible. 

Captain  "W.  H.  FoAvle,  whom  Colonel  Lee  had  relieved, 
had  previously  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to  carry  out 
orders  from  these  headquarters,  to  render  his  department 
equal  to  the  demands  of  the  service;  that  it  Was  not  entirely 
so,  it  is  due  to  justice  to  say,  was  certainly  not  his  fault. 

Deprived,  by  the  sudden  severe  illness,  of  the  Medical 
Director,  Surgeon  Thomas  II.  Williams,  his  duties  were  dis- 
charged by  Surgeon  R.  L.  Brodie,  to  my  entire  satisfaction; 
and  it  is  proper  to  say,  that  the  entire  medical  corps  of  the 
army  at  present,  embracing  gentlemen  of  distinction  in  the 
profession,  who  had  quit  lucrative  private  practice,  by  their 
services  in  the  field  and  subsequently,  did  high  honor  to 
their  profession. 

The  vital  duties  of  the  Ordnance  Department  were  effec- 
tively discharged  under  the  administration  of  my  Chief  of 
Artillery  and  Ordnance,  Colonel  Samuel  Jones. 

At  one  time,  when  reports  of  evil  omen  and  disaster 
reached  Camp  Pickens,  with  such  circumstantiality  as  to 
give  reasonable  grounds  of  anxiety,  its  comma  ruler,  Colonel 
Terrett,  the  commander  of  the  entrenched  batteries,  Captain 
Sterrett,  of  the  Confederate  States  Navy,  and  their  officers, 
made  the  most  efficient  possible  preparations  for  the  despe- 
rate defence  of  that  position  in  extremity ;  and  in  this  con- 
nection, I  regret  my  inability  to  mention  the  names  of  those 
patriotic  gentlemen  of  Virginia,  by  tin-  gratuitous  labor  of 
whose  slaves  the  entrenched  Camp  at  Manassas  had  been 
mainly  constructed,  relieving  the  troops  from  that  laborious 
service,  and  giving  opportunity  for  their  military  instruc- 
tion. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Thomas  II.  Williamson,  the  Engineer 
of  these  works,  assisted  by  Captain  D.  B.  Harris,  discharged 

his    duties    with    untiring    energy  and    devotion,  as   well    as 

satisfactory  skill. 

Captain   W.    II.    Stevens,  Engineer  Confederate   States 

Army,  served    with    the  advanced    forcefl    at    Fairfax  Court- 


42 

House  for  some  time  before  the  battle  ;  he  laid  out  the  works 
there,  in  admirable  accordance  with  the  purposes  for  which 
they  were  designed,  and  yet  so  as  to  admit  of  ultimate  ex- 
tension and  adaptation  to  more  serious  uses  as  means  and  part 
of  a  system  of  real  defence  when  determined  upon.  He 
has  shown  himself  to  be  an  officer  of  energy  and  ability. 

Major  Thomas  G.  Rhett,  after  having  discharged  for  seve- 
ral months  the  laborious  duties  of  Adjutant-General  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  Camp  Pickens,  was  detached  to  join 
the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  just  on  the  eve  of  the  advance 
of  the  enemy,  but  volunteering  his  services,  was  ordered  to 
assist  on  the  "Staff  of  General  Bonham,  joining  that  officer 
at  Centreville  on  the  night  of  the  17th,  before  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  where  he  rendered  valuable  services,  until  the 
arrival  of  General  Johnston,  on  the  20th  of  July,  when  he 
was  called  to  the  place  of  Chief  of  Staff  of  that  officer. 

It  is  also  proper  to  acknowledge  the  signal  services  ren- 
dered by  Colonel  B.  F.  Terry  and  T.  Lubbock,  of  Texas, 
who  had  attached  themselves  to  the  staff  of  General  Long- 
street.  These  gentlemen  made  daring  and  valuable  recon- 
noisances  of  the  enemy's  positions,  assisted  by  Captains 
Goree  and  Chichester;  they  also  carried  orders  in  the  field, 
and  on  the  following  day,  accompanying  Captain  White- 
head's troop  to  take  possession  of  Fairfax  Court-House, 
Colonel  Terry,  with  his  unerring  rifle,  severed  the  halliard, 
and  thus  lowered  the  Federal  nag  found  still  floating  from 
the  cupola  of  the  Court-House  there.  He  also  secured  a 
large  Federal  garrison  flag,  designed,  it  is  said,  to  be 
unfurled  over  our  entrenchments  at  Manassas. 

In  connection  with  the  unfortunate  casualty  of  the 
day — that  is,  the  miscarriage  of  the  orders  sent  by  courier 
to  Generals  Holmes  and  Ewell  to  attack  the  enemy  in  flank 
and  reverse  at  Centreville,  through  which  the  triumph  of  our 
arms  was  prevented  from  being  still  more  decisive,  I  regard 
it  in  place  to  say,  a  divisional  organization,  with  officers  in 
command  of  divisions,  with  appropriate  rank,  as  in  Euro- 
pean services,  would  greatly  reduce  the  risk  of  such  mis- 
haps, and  would  advantageously  simplify  the  communications 
of  a  General  in  command  of  a  field  with  his  troops. 

While  glorious  for  our  people,  and  of  crushing  effect 
upon  the  morale  of  our  hitherto  confident  and  over-weening 
adversary,  as  were  the  events  of  the  battle  of  Manassas,  the 
field  was  only  won  by  stout  fighting,  and,  as  before  reported, 
with  much  loss,  as  is  precisely  exhibited  in  the  papers  here- 


43 

with,  marked  F,  G  and  H,  and  being  lists  of  the  killed  and 
wounded.  The  killed  outright  numbered  369 — the  wounded 
1,483,  making  an  aggregate  of  1,852. 

The  actual  loss  of  the  enemy  will  never  be  known  ;  it  may 
now  only  be  conjectured.  Their  abandoned  dead,  as  they 
were  buried  by  our  people  where  they  fell,  unfortunately, 
were  not  enumerated,  but  many  parts  of  the  field  were 
thick  with  their  corpses,  as  but  few  battle  fields  have  ever 
been.  The  official  reports  of  the  enemy  are  expressly  silent 
on  this  point,  but  still  afford  us  data  for  an  approxi- 
mate estimate.  Left  almost  in  the  dark,  in  respect  to  the 
losses  of  Hunter's  and  Heintzleman's  Divisions — first, 
longest  and  most  hotly  engaged — we  are  informed  that 
Sherman's  Brigade — Tyler's  Division — suffered,  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing,  609 — that  is,  about  18  per  cent,  of 
the  brigade.  A  regiment  of  Franklin's  Brigade — Gor- 
man's— lost  21  per  cent.  Griffin's  (battery)  loss  was  30 
per  cent.,  and  that  of  Keyes's  Brigade,  which  was  so  handled 
by  its  commander,  as  to  be  exposed  to  only  occasional  vol- 
leys from  our  troops,  was  at  least  10  per  cent.  To  these 
facts  add  the  repeated  references  in  the  reports  of  the  more 
reticent  commanders,  to  the  "  murderous"  fire  to  which  they 
were  habitually  exposed — the  "pistol  range"  volleys,  and 
galling  musketry,  of  which  they  speak,  as  scourging  their 
ranks,  and  we  are  warranted  in  placing  the  entire  loss  of 
the  Federalists,  at  over  forty-five  hundred  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners.  To  this  may  be  legitimately  added  as  a 
casualty  of  the  battle,  the  thousands  of  fugitives  from  the 
field,  who  have  never  rejoined  their  "regiments,  and  who  are 
as  much  lost  to  the  enemy's  service  as  if  slain  or  disabled 
by  wounds.  These  may  not  be  included  under  the  head  of 
"  missinp,  "  because,  in  every  instance  of  such  report,  we 
took  as  many  prisoners  of  those  brigades  or  regiments  as  are 
reported  "  missing." 

A  list  appended  exhibits  some  1,460  of  their  wounded 
and  others,  who  fell  into  our  hands,  and  were  sent  to  Rich- 
mond; some  were  sent  to  other  points,  so  that  the  number 
of  prisoners,  including  wounded,  who  (fid  not  die,  maybe  set 
doWD  as  not  loss  than  1,600.  Besides  these  a  considerable 
number,  who  could  not  be  removed  from  the  field,  died  at 
several  farm  houses  and  field  hospitals  within  ten  days  fol- 
low ing  the  battle. 

To  serve  the  future  historian  of  this  war,  I  will  note  the 
fact,  that  among  the  captured  Federalists,  arc  officers  and 


44 

men  of  forty-seven  regiments  of  volunteers,  besides  from 
some  nine  different  regiments  of  regular  troops,  detachments 
of  which  were  engaged.  From  their  official  reports,  we 
learn  of  a  regiment  of  volunteers  engaged,  six  regiments  of 
Miles's  Division,  and  the  five  regiments  of  Runyon's  Brigade, 
from  which  we  have  neither  sound  nor  wounded  prisoners. 
Making  all  allowances  for  mistakes,  we  are  warranted  in 
saying  that  the  Federal  Army  consisted  of  at  least  fifty-five 
regiments  of  volunteers,  eight  companies  of  regular  infantry, 
four  of  marines,  nine  of  regular  cavalry,  and  twelve  batte- 
ries, forty-nine  guns.  These  regiments,  at  one  time,  as  will 
appear  from  a  published  list  appended,  marked  "K,"  num- 
bered in  the  aggregate  54,140,  and  average  964  each.  From 
an  order  of  the  enemy's  commander,  however,  dated  July 
13th,  we  learn  that  one  hundred  men  from  each  regiment 
were  directed  to  remain  in  charge  of  their  respective  camps — 
some  allowance  must  further  be  made  for  the  sick  and  details, 
which  would  reduce  the  average  to  eight  hundred  men — 
adding  the  regular  cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery  present, 
an  estimate  of  their  force  may  be  made. 

A  paper  appended,  marked  "  L, "  exhibits,  in  part,  the 
ordnance  and  supplies  captured — including  some  twenty- 
eight  field  pieces  of  the  best  character  of  arm,  with  over 
one  hundred  rounds  of  ammunition  for  each  gun,  thirty- 
seven  caissons,  six  forges,  four  battery  wagons,  sixty-four 
artillery  horses,  completely  equipped,  five  hundred  thousand 
rounds  of  small  arms  ammunition,  four  thousand  five  hun- 
dred setts  of  accoutrements,  over  five  thousand  muskets, 
some  nine  regimental  and  garrison  flags,  Avith  a  large 
number  of  pistols,  knapsacks,  swords,  canteens,  blankets  ;  a 
large  store  of  axes  and  entrenching  tools,  wagons,  ambu- 
lances, horses,  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  hospital  stores, 
and  some  subsistence. 

Added  to  these  results,  may  rightly  be  noticed  here,  that 
by  this  battle  an  invading  army,  superbly  equipped,  within 
twenty  miles  of  their  base  of  operations,  has  been  converted 
into  one  virtually  besieged,  and  exclusively  occupied  for 
months  in  the  construction  of  a  stupendous  series  of  fortifi- 
cations for  the  protection  of  its  own  Capitol. 

I  beg  to  call  attention  to  the  reports  of  the  several  subor- 
dinate commanders  for  reference  to  the  signal  parts  played 
by  individuals  of  their  respective  commands.  Contradictory 
statements,  found  in  these  reports,  should  not  excite  surprise, 
when  we  remember  how  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  it  is  to 


45 

reconcile  the  narrations  of  by-standers  or  participants  in 
even  the  most  inconsiderable  affair,  much  less  the  shifting, 
thrilling  scnes  eof  a  battle  field. 

Accompanying  are  maps  showing  the  positions  of  the 
armies  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  July,  and  of  three  seve- 
ral stages  of  the  battle  ;  also,  of  the  line  of  Bull  Run 
north  of  Blackburn's  Ford.  These  maps,  from  actual  sur- 
veys made  by  Captain  D.  B.  Harris,  assisted  by  Mr.  John 
Grant,  were  drawn  by  the  latter  with  a  rare  accuracy  worthy 
of  high  commendation. 

In  conclusion,  it  is  proper,  and  doubtless  expected,  that 
through  this  report  my  countrymen  should  be  made  acquaint- 
ed with  some  of  the  sufficient  causes  that  prevented  the 
advance  of  our  forces  and  prolonged,  vigorous  pursuit  of  the 
enemy  to  and  beyond  the  Potomac.  The  War  Department 
has  been  fully  advised  long  since  of  all  of  those  causes, 
some  of  which  only  are  proper  to  be  here  communicated. 
An  army,  which  had  fought  as  ours  on  that  day,  against  un- 
common odds,  under  a  July  sun,  most  of  the  time  without 
water  and  without  food,  except  a  hastily  snatched,  scanty 
meal  at  dawn,  was  not  in  condition  for  the  toil  of  an  eager, 
effective  pursuit  of  an  enemy  immediately  after  the  battle. 

On  the  following  day  an  unusually  heavy  and  unintermit- 
ting  mil  of  rain  intervened  to  obstruct  our  advance,  with 
reasonable  prospect  of  fruitful  results.  Added  to  this,  the 
want  of  a  cavalry  force,  of  sufficient  numbers,  made  an  effi- 
cient pursuit  a  military  impossibility. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  Commanding. 
To    General   S.    Cooper,    Adjutant  and   Inspector    General, 

Richmond,  Va. 

(Official.)  R.   H.   Chilton, 

Adjutant. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL 
JNO.  B.  FLOYD,  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  10th 
SEPTEMBER,   1861. 


Headquarters  Army  of  Kanawha,        ^ 
Camp  on  the  Road,  Sept.  12,  1861.  ) 

Hon.  L.  P.  Walker, 

Secretary  of  War : 

Sir  :  Information  had  reached  me  for  some  number  of 
days,  that  a  heavy  force  was  advancing  towards  my  position, 
from  the  direction  of  Clarksburg,  in  the  North-western  part 
of  the  State.  As  these  rumors  became  certainty  I  made  an 
effort  to  strengthen  myself,  first,  by  reinforcement,  and  se- 
condly, by  entrenchment,  sufficient  to  withstand  the  very 
large  force  of  the  enemy.  My  orders  to  General  Wise,  I 
send  you  copies  of,  and  clso,  copies  of  his  replies.  I  failed 
in  procuring  reinforcement,  but  succeeded  somewhat  better 
in  the  construction  of  a  temporary  breastwork.  At  three 
o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  September,  the  enemy, 
under  the  command  of  General  Roscncranz,  (as  we  learned 
through  prisoners,)  of  whose  advance  I  was  fully  aware,  at 
the  head  of  ten  regiments,  made  his  appearance  before  our 
entrenchments,  when  the  battle  instantly  commenced.  Our 
lines  were  necessarily  very  extended  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
tecting our  position,  ami  when  manned,  left  not  one  man  for 
reserve.  The  assault  amis  made  with  spirit  and  determina- 
tion with  small  arms,  grape  and  round  shot  from  howitzers 
and  rifled  cannon.  There  was  scarcely  an  intermission  in 
the  conflict,  until  night  put  an  end  to  the  firing.  The  ene- 
my's force  is  estimated  certainly  between  eight  and  nine 
thousand  men.  whilst  our  force  engaged  was  less  than  two 
thousand. 


48 

Upon  the  close  of  the  contest  for  the  night,  I  discovered 
that  it  was  only  a  question  of  time  when  we  should  be  com- 
pelled to  yield  to  the  superiority  of  numbers.  I,  therefore, 
determined  at  once  to  recross  the  Gauley  river  and  take 
position  upon  the  left  bank,  which  I  accomplished  without 
the  loss  of  a  gun,  or  any  accident  whatever.  Our  loss, 
strange  to  say,  after  a  continued  firing  upon  us  by  cannon 
and  small  arms,  for  nearly  four  hours,  was  only  twenty  men 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  we  had  no  means  of  ac- 
curately estimating,  but  Ave  are  satisfied  from  report  of  pri- 
soners and  other  sources  of  information,  was  very  heavy. 
We  repulsed  them  in  five  distinct  and  successive  assaults, 
and  at  nightfall  had  crippled  them  to  such  an  extent  that 
they  were  in  no  condition  whatever,  to  molest  us  in  our  pas- 
sage across  the  river.  I  will  only  say  that  our  men,  without 
distinction,  behaved  with  the  greatest  coolness,  determina- 
tion and  presence  of  mind,  and  while  it  is  impossible  to  give 
praise  to  one  portion  of  the  force  engaged  over  another,  it  is 
out  proper  to  say  that  the  artillery  behaved  with  the  greatest 
bravery  and  efficiency ;  that  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Guy,  who  had  reached  me  only  two  days  before,  and  were 
for  the  first  time  under  fire,  behaved  themselves  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  all  praise. 

I  am  very  confident  that  I  could  have  beaten  the  enemy 
and  have  marched  directly  to  the  Valley  of  Kanawha,  if  the 
reinforcements  from  Gen.  Wise's  column  had  come  up  when 
ordered,  and  the  regiments  from  North  Carolina  and  Geor- 
gia could  have  reached  me  before  the  close  of  the  second 
day's  conflict.  I  cannot  express  the  regret  which  I  feel  at 
the  necessity,  over  which  I  had  no  control,  which  required 
that  I  should  recross  the  river.  I  am  confident  that  if  I 
could  have  commanded  the  services  of  five  thousand  men, 
instead  of  eighteen  hundred,  which  I  had,  I  could  have 
opened  the  road  directly  into  the  Valley  of  the  Kanawha. 

It  would  seem  now  as  if  the  object,  so  nearly  accomplished, 
can  only  be  obtained  by  an  advance  upon  the  enemy,  by  the 
left  bank  of  the  Kanawha  river,  with  a  sufficient  force  at 
any  time  to  give  him  battle.  This  force,  if  possible,  ought 
to  be  collected  from  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  Their  close 
correspondence  shows  distinctly  enough  the  urgent  necessi- 
ty of  so  shaping  the  command  in  the  Valley  of  Kanawha,  as 
to  insure,  in  the  future,  that  unity  of  action,  upon  which 
alone  can  rest  any  hope  of  success  in  military  matters. 

I  have  not  thought  proper  to  take  any  other  notice  of 


49 

these  transactions,  than  to  bring  them  to  the  notice  of  the 
President  and  Secretary  of  War  of  the  Confederate  States. 
The  reasons  which  have  induced  me  to  take  this  course,  I  am 
sure,  will  not  be  misunderstood  by  either. 

I  apprehend  the  course  the  enemy  proposes  to  pursue,  is 
to  carry  out  the  plans  indicated  by  General  Rosencranz  to 
Gen.  Tyler,  for  the  invasion  of  the  interior  of  the  State  and 
the  seizure  of  Lewisburg,  set  forth  in  an  intercepted  letter 
of  the  latter,  a  month  ago.  To  prevent  this  I  am  in  com- 
mand of  an  actual  force  of  four  thousand  two  hundred  men. 
This  force  will  be  required  to  oppose  the  advance  of  Gen. 
Cox  and  Gen.  Rosencranz,  with  their  forces,  consisting,  as 
they  undoubtedly  will,  of  at  least  12,000  men.  This  dis- 
parity in  numbers  is  too  great,  although  I  will  certainly  give 
battle  to  the  invading  army,  at  some  such  strong  point  in  the 
mountain  passes,  as  I  may  hope  will  equalize,  to  some  extent, 
our  numbers.  This  may  occur  within  the  next  three  days  ; 
but  should  it  be  deferred  for  any  length  of  time,  I  hope  the 
Department  will  find  it  proper  to  strengthen  us  with  rein- 
forcements. In  the  meantime,  should  Gen.  Lee  attack  and 
repulse  the  enemy  at  Rich  Mountain,  I  will  hold  myself  in 
position  to  fall  upon  his  flank,  or  rear,  as  circumstances  may 
allow,  or  my  force  authorize. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  the  highest  respect, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

(This  is  signed  by  Adjutant  Peters,  because  an  injury 
prevents  my  holding  a  pen.) 

JNO.  B.  FLOYD, 
Brig.  Gen.  ComcTg  Army  of  Kanawha. 
By  William  E.  Peters,  A.  A.  Gen.,  Floyd's  Brigade. 


The  above  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  original. 

Edw'd  S.  Joynes, 
4  War  Deft,  Dec.  10,  1861. 


REPORT  OF  ENGAGEMENT  AT  OAK  HILL,  ON 
THE  10th  AUGUST,  WITH  UNITED  STATES 
TROOPS,  BEN  McCULLOCH,  BRIGADIER  GEN- 
ERAL, COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  McCulloch  Brigade,  Camp 
Weightman,  near  Springfield,  Mo.,  Aug.  12,  1861. 

Gen.   S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  General,  C.  S.  A.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  official  re- 
port of  the  battle  of  the  Oak  Hills  on  the  10th  inst.  Having 
taken  position  about  ten  miles  from  Springfield,  I  endeavored 
to  gain  the  necessary  information  of  the  strength  and  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy  stationed  in  and  about  the  town.  The 
information  was  very  conflicting  and  unsatisfactory.  I, 
however,  made  up  my  mind  to  attack  the  enemy  in  their 
position,  and  issued  orders,  on  the  9th  inst.,  to  my  force  to 
start  at  nine  o'clock  at  night  to  attack  at  four  different  points 
at  daylight.  A  few  days  before,  General  Price,  in  command 
of  the  Missouri  force,  turned  over  his  command  to  me,  and  I 
assumed  command  of  the  entire  force,  comprising  my  own 
brigade,  the  brigade  of  Arkansas  State  forces,  under  Gene- 
ral Pierce,  and  General  Price's  command  of  Missourians. 

My  effective  force  was  five  thousand  three  hundred  infan- 
try, fifteen  pieces  of  artillery,  and  six  thousand  horsemen, 
armed  with  flint-lock  muskets,  rifles  and  shot  guns.     There 

were  other  horsemen  with  the  army,  who  were  entirely  mi- 
armed,  ami  instead  6f  being  a  help,  were  continually  in  the 
way.  When  the  time  arrived  for  the  night  march,  it  com- 
menced  to  rain  slightly,  and  fearing.  From  the  want  of  car- 
tridge boxes,  that  my  ammunition  would  be  ruined,  I  ordered 
the  movement  to  be  stopped,  hoping  to  move  the  next  morn- 
ing. Many  of  my  men  had  but  twenty  rounds  of  ammuni- 
tion, and  there  was   no  more  to  be  had.      While  still  hesita- 


52 

ting  in  the  morning,  the  enemy  were  reported  advancing, 
and  I  made  arrangements  to  meet  him.  The  attack  was 
made  simultaneous  at  half-past  five,  A.  M.,  on  our  right  and 
left  flanks,  and  the  enemy  had  gained  the  positions  they  de- 
sired. General  Lyon  attacked  us  on  our  left,  and  General 
Seigel  on  our  right  and  rear.  From  these  points  batteries 
opened  upon  us.  My  command  was  soon  ready.  The  Mis- 
sourians,  under  Generals  Slack,  Clark,  McBride,  Parsons 
and  Raines,  were  nearest  the  position  taken  by  General 
Lyon  with  his  main  force.  They  were  instantly  turned  to 
the  left  and  opened  the  battle  with  an  incessant  fire  of  small 
arms.  Woodruff  opposed  his  battery  to  that  of  the  enemy, 
under  Captain  Totten,  and  a  constant  cannonading  was  kept 
up  between  these  batteries  during  the  battle.  Hebert's 
Regiment  of  Louisiana  Volunteers  and  Mcintosh's  Regi- 
ment of  Arkansas  Mounted  Riflemen,  were  ordered  to  the 
front,  and  after  passing  the  battery,  turned  to  the  left  and 
soon  engaged  the  enemy,  with  the  regiments  deployed. 
Colonel  Mcintosh  dismounted  his  regiment,  and  the  two 
marched  up  abreast  to  a  fence  around  a  large  cornfield,  when 
they  met  the  left  of  the  enemy  already  posted.  A  terrible 
conflict  of  small  arms  took  place  here.  The  opposing  force 
was  a  body  of  regular  United  States  Infantry,  commanded 
by  Captains  Plummer  and  Gilbert. 

Notwithstanding  the  galling  fire  poured  upon  these  two 
regiments,  they  leaped  over  the  fence,  and  gallantly  led  by 
their  Colonels,  drove  the  enemy  before  them  back  upon  the 
main  body.  During  this  time  the  Missourians,  under  Gen- 
eral Price,  were  nobly  attempting  to  sustain  themselves  in 
the  center,  and  were  hotly  engaged  on  the  sides  of  the 
height  upon  which  the  enemy  were  posted.  Far  on  the  right 
Seigel  had  opened  his  battery  upon  Churchill's  and  Greer's 
Regiments,  and  had  gradually  made  his  way  to  the  Spring- 
field Road,  upon  each  side  of  which  the  army  was  encamped, 
and  in  a  prominent  position,  had  established  his  battery.  I 
at  once  took  two  companies  of  the  Louisiana  Regiment,  which 
were  nearest  me,  and  marched  them  rapidly  from  the  front 
and  right  to  the  rear,  with  orders  to  Colonel  Mcintosh  to 
bring  up  the  rest. 

When  we  arrived  near  the  enemy's  battery,  we  found  that 
Reid's  Battery  had  opened  upon  it,  and  it  was  already  in 
confusion.  Advantage  was  taken  of  it,  and  soon  the  Lou- 
isianans  were  gallantly  charging  among  the  guns  and  swept 
.the  cannoniers    away.     Five  ..guns  were   here  taken,   and 


53 

Seigel's  command,  completely  routed,  were  in  rapid  retreat 
with  a  single  gun,  followed  by  some  companies  of  the  Texas 
Regiment  and  a  portion  of  Colonel  Major's  Missouri  Regi- 
ment of  Cavalry.  In  the  pursuit  many  of  the  enemy  were 
killed  and  taken  prisoners,  and  their  last  gun  captured. 

Having  cleared  our  right  and  rear,  it  was  necessary  to 
turn  all  our  attention  to  the  center,  under  General  Lyon, 
who  was  pressing  upon  the  Missourians,  having  driven  them 
back.  To  this  point  Mcintosh's  Regiment,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Embry,  and  Churchill's  Regiment,  on  foot,  Gratiot's 
Regiment  and  McRae's  Battalion  were  sent  to  their  aid.  A 
terrible  fire  of  musketry  was  now  kept  up  along  the  whole 
side  and  top  of  the  hill  upon  which  the  enemy  were  posted  ; 
masses  of  infantry  fell  back,  and  again  rushed  forward. 
The  summit  of  the  hill  was  covered  with  the  dead  and 
wounded.  Both  sides  were  fighting  with  desperation  for 
the  day.  Carroll's  and  Greer's  Regiments,  led  gallantly  by 
Capt.  Bradfute,  charged^the  battery,  (Totten's)  but  the  whole 
strength  of  the  enemy  were  immediately  in  rear,  and  a 
deadly  fire  was  opened  upon  them. 

At  this  critical  moment,  when  the  fortunes  of  the  day 
seemed  to  be  at  the  turning  point,  two  regiments  of  General 
Pierce's  Brigade,  were  ordered  to  march  from  their  position 
(as  reserves)  to  support  the  center. 

The  order  was  obeyed  with  alacrity,  and  General  Pierce 
gallantly  marched  with  his  brigade  to  the  rescue.  Reid's 
Battery  was  also  ordered  to  move  forward,  and  the  Louisiana 
Regiment  was  again  called  into  action  on  the  left  of  it.  The 
battle  then  became  general,  and  probably  no  two  opposing 
forces  ever  fought  with  greater  desperation  ;  inch  by  inch 
the  enemy  gave  way  and  were  driven  from  their  position. 
Totten's  Battery  fell  back — Missourians,  Arkansians,  Lou- 
isianans  and  Texans  pushed  forward — the  incessant  roll  of 
musketry  was  deafening,  and  the  balls  fell  thick  as  hail 
stones — but  still  our  gallant  Southerners  pushed  onward,  and, 
with  one  wild  yell,  broke  upon  the  enemy,  pushing  them  back 
and  strewing  the  ground  with  their  dead.  Nothing  could 
withstand  the  impetuosity  of  our  final  charge.  The  enemy 
fled  and  could  not  again  be  rallied,  and  they  wero  seen  at 
12  M.,  fast  retreating  among  the  hills  in  the  distance. 
Thus  ended  the  battle.  It  lasted  six  hours  and  a  half.  The 
force  of  the  enemy,  between  nine  and  ten  thousand,  was 
composed  of  well  disciplined  troops.  w<-ll  armed,  and  a  large 
part  of  them  belonging  to  the  old  army  of  the  United  States. 


54 

With  every  advantage  on  their  side,  they  have  met  with  a 
signal  repulse.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  eight  hundred 
(800)  killed,  one  thousand  (1,000)  wounded,  and  three  hun- 
dred (300)  prisoners.  We  captured  six  (6)  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, several  hundred  stand  of  small  arms,  and  several  of 
their  standards. 

Major  General  Lyon,  chief  in  command,  was  killed,  and 
many  of  their  officers,  high  in  rank,  wounded. 

Our  loss  was  also  severe,  and  we  mourn  the  death  of 
many  a  gallant  officer  and  soldier.  Our  killed  amounts  to 
two  hundred  and  sixty-five,  (265,)  eight  hundred  (800) 
wounded,  and  thirty  (30)  missing. 

Colonel  Weightman  fell  at  the  head  of  his  brigade  of  Mis- 
sourians,  while  gallantly  charging  upon  the  enemy.  His 
place  will  not  easily  be  filled.  Generals  Slack  and  Clark,  of 
Missouri,  were  severely  wounded — General  Price,  slightly. 
Captain  Hinson,  of  the  Louisiana  Regiment,  Captain  Mc- 
Alexander,  of  Churchill's  Regiment,  Captains  Bell  and 
Brown  of  Pierce's  Brigade  ;  Lieutenants  Walton  and 
Weaver,  all  fell  nobly  and  gallantly  doing  their  duty.  Col- 
onel Mcintosh  was  slightly  wounded  by  a  grape-shot  while 
charging  with  the  Louisiana  Regiment.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Neal,  Major  H.  Ward,  Captains  King,  Pearson,  Gibbs, 
Ramsaur,  Porter;  Lieutenants  Dawson,  Chambers,  John- 
son, King,  Adams,  Hardista,  Mclver  and  Saddler,  were 
wounded  while  at  the  head  of  their  companies.  Where  all 
were  doing  their  duty  so  gallantly,  it  is  almost  unfair  to 
discriminate.  I  must,  however,  bring  to  your  notice  the 
gallant  conduct  of  the  Missouri  Generals,  McBride,  Par- 
sons, Clark,  Slack,  and  their  officers.  To  General  Price  I 
am  under  many  obligations  for  assistance  on  the  battle  field. 
He  was  at  the  head  of  his  force  leading  them  on  ;  and  sus- 
taining them  by  his  gallant  bearing.  General  Pierce,  with 
his  Arkansas  Brigade,  (Gratiot's,  Walker's  and  Daugherty's 
Regiment  of  Infantry,)  came  gallantly  to  the  rescue  when 
sent  for.  Leading  his  men  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  he 
contributed  much  to  the  success  of  the  day.  The  command- 
ers of  regiments  of  my  own  Brigade,  Colonels  Churchill, 
Greer,  Embry,  Mcintosh,  Hebert  and  McRae,  led  their  dif- 
ferent regiments  into  action  with  the  greatest  coolness  and 
bravery,  always  in  front  of  their  men,  cheering  them  on. 

Woodruff,  Bledsoe  and  Reid,  managed  their  batteries  with 
great  ability,  and  did  much  execution. 

For  those  other  officers  and  men,  who  were  particularly 


55 

conspicuous,  I  will  refer  the  Department  to  the  reports  of 
the  different  commanders. 

To  my  personal  staff  I  am  much  indebted  for  the  coolness 
and  rapidity  with  which  they  carried  orders  about  the  field, 
and  would  call  your  attention  to  my  volunteer  aids,  Capt. 
Bradfute,  Messrs.  Armstrong,  Ben.  Johnson,  (who  had  his 
horse  killed  under  him,)  Hamilton,  Pike  and  Major  King. 
To  Major  Montgomery,  Quartermaster,  I  am  also  indebted 
for  much  service.  He  cheerfully  volunteered  his  services  as 
an  aid  during  the  battle,  and  was  of  much  use  to  me. 

To  Colonel  Mcintosh,  at  one  time  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment, and  at  other  times  in  his  capacity  of  Assistant  Adju- 
tant General,  I  cannot  bestow  too  much  praise.  Wherever 
the  balls  flew  thickest,  he  was  gallantly  leading  different 
regiments  into  action,  and  his  presence  gave  confidence 
everywhere. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  BEN  McCULLOCH, 

Brigadier-  General,  commanding. 

(Official.)  B,  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


CONSOLIDATED  REPORT  of  the  Killed,  Wounded  and 
Missing,  in  the  Arkansas  State  Forces,  after  the  action  of 
August  10th,  1861  : 


Command. 


Second  Regiment  Cavalry,  Col. 
Carroll 

Third  Regiment  Infantry,  Wood- 
ruff's Battery  attached,  Col. 
Gratiot 

Fourth  Regiment  Infantry,  Col. 
Walker 

Fifth  Regiment  Infantry,  Colonel 
Daugherty 

General  Staff 

Total 

(Signed.) 
(Official.) 


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4 

Remarks 


Not  engaged. 


Capt.  Jefferson, 
taken  prisoner. 


A.  H.  CLINE, 

Major  and  A.  D.  G. 

R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF  THE  ENGAGEMENT  AT  LEWINSVILLE, 
VIRGINIA,  J.  E.  B.  STUART,  COL.  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Munson's  Hill,  7 
September  11th,  1861.      \ 


General 


I  started  about  12  o'clock,  with  the  13th  Virginia  Volun- 
teers, commanded  by  Maj.  Terrill,  305  men,  one  section  of 
Rosser's  Battery,  Washington  Artillery,  and  a  detachment 
of  First  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Patrick,  for  Lewinsville, 
where  I  learned  from  my  cavalry  pickets,  the  enemy  were 
posted  with  some  force.  My  intention  was  to  surprise  them, 
and  I  succeeded  entirely.  Approaching  Lewinsville  by  the 
enemy's  left  and  rear,  taking  care  to  keep  my  small  force  an 
entire  secret  from  their  observation,  I,  at  the  same  time, 
carefully  provided  against  the  disaster  to  myself  which  I  was 
striving  to  inflict  upon  the  enemy,  and  felt  sure,  that  if  ne- 
cessary, I  could  fall  back  successfully  before  any  force  the 
enemy  might  have,  for  the  country  was  favorable  to  retreat 
and  ambuscade.  At  a  point,  nicely  screened  by  the  woods 
from  Lewinsville,  and  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  place,  I 
sent  forward,  under  Maj.  Terril),  a  portion  of  his  command, 
stealthily  to  reach  the  woods  at  a  turn  of  the  road  and  re- 
connoitre beyond;  this  was  admirably  done,  and  the  Major 
soon  reported  to  me  that  the  enemy  had  a  piece  of  artillery 
in  position,  in  the  road  just  at  Lewinsville,  commanding  our 
road.  I  directed  him  immediately  to  post  his  riflemen  so  as 
to  rentier  it  impossible  for  the  cannoniers  to- serve  the  piece, 
and  if  possible,  capture  it.  During  subsequent  operations, 
the  cannoniers  tried  ineffectually  to  serve  the  piece,  and 
finally,  after  one  was   shot  through  the  head,  the  piece  was 


58 

taken  off.  While  this  was  going  on,  a  few  shots  from 
Rosser's  section,  at  a  cluster  of  the  enemy,  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  off,  put  the  entire  force  of  the  enemy  in  full 
retreat,  exposing  their  entire  column  to  flank  fire  from  our 
pieces.  Some  wagons  and  a  large  hody  of  cavalry  first 
passed  in  hasty  flight,  the  rifle  piece  and  howitzer  firing  as 
they  passed ;  then  came  flying  a  battery,  eight  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, (Griffin's,)  which  soon  took  position  about  six  hundred 
yards  to  our  front  and  right,  and  rained  shot  and  shell  upon 
us  during  the  entire  engagement,  but  with  harmless  effect, 
although  striking  very  near.  Then  passed  three  regiments  of 
infantry,  at  double  quick,  receiving  in  succession  as  they 
passed,  Rosser's  unerring  salutation — his  shells  bursting 
directly  over  their  heads  and  creating  the  greatest  havoc  and 
confusion  in  their  ranks.  The  last  infantry  regiment  was 
followed  by  a  column  of  cavalry,  which  at  one  time,  rode 
over  the  rear  of  the  infantry  in  great  confusion.  The  Field, 
General  and  Staff-Officers  were  seen  exerting  every  effort  to 
restore  order  in  their  broken  ranks,  and  my  cavalry  videttes, 
observing  their  flight,  reported  that  they  finally  rallied  a  mile 
and-a-half  below,  and  took  position  there,  firing  round  after 
round  of  artillery  from  that  position  up  the  road,  where 
they  supposed  our  columns  would  be  pursuing  them.  Capt. 
Rosser  having  no  enemy  left  to  contend  with,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, was  permitted  to  view  the  ground  of  the  enemy's 
flight,  and  found  the  road  plowed  up  by  his  solid  shot,  and 
strewn  with  fragments  of  shells — two  men  left  dead  in  the 
road,  one  mortally  wounded,  and  one  not  hurt,  taken  prisoner. 
The  prisoner  said  the  havoc  in  their  ranks  was  fearful,  justi- 
fying what  I  saw  myself  of  the  confusion. 

Major  TerrilPs  sharp-shooters  were  by  no  means  idle, 
firing  wherever  a  straggling  Yankee  showed  his  head,  and 
capturing  a  Lieutenant,  (captured  by  Maj.  T.,  himself,)  one 
Sergeant  and  one  private,  all  belonging  to  the  Nineteenth 
Indiana,  (Col.  Merideth's). 

The  prisoners  reported  to  me  that  General  McClellan  him- 
self was  present,  and  the  enemy  gave  it  out  publicly  that  the 
occupancy  of  Lewinsville  was  to  be  permanent.  Alas  for 
human  expectations ! 

The  officers  and  men  behaved  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the 
General's  highest  commendations,  and  the  firing  done  by  the 
section,  under  direction  of  Capt.  Rosser  and  Lieut.  Slocumb, 
all  the  time  under  fire  from  the  enemy's  battery,  certainly, 


59 

for  accuracy  and  effect,  challenges  comparison  with  any  ever 
made. 

Valuable  assistance  was  rendered  me  by  Chaplain  Ball,  as 
usual,  and  Messrs.  Hairston  and  Burks,  citizens  attached  to 
my  staff,  were  conspicuous  in  daring.  Corp'l  Hagan,  and 
Bugler  Freed,  are  entitled  to  special  mention  for  good  con- 
duct and  valuable  service. 

Our  loss  was  not  a  scratch  to  man  or  horse.  We  have  no 
means  of  knowing  the  enemy's,  except  it  must  have  been 
heavy  from  the  effects  of  the  shots.  We  found  in  all  four 
dead  and  mortally  wounded,  and  captured  four.  Of  course 
they  carried  off  all  they  could. 

Your  attention  is  especially  called  to  the  enclosed,  whioh 
was  delivered  to  me  at  Lewinsville,  and  to  my  endorsement. 
I  send  a  sketch,  also.  I  returned  here  with  my  command 
after  re-establishing  my  line  of  pickets  there. 

Please  forward  this  report  to  General  Johnston,  Gen.  J. 
Longstreet. 

Most  respectfully, 

Your  obed't  serv't. 
(Signed.)  J.  E.  B.  STUART. 

Colonel  Commanding. 
(Official.)  R.  H.   Chilton,  A.  A.  General. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  THE  ENGAGEMENT  ON 
GREENBRIER  RIVER,  OCTOBER  3,  1861,  H.  R. 
JACKSON,  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  COMMAND- 
ING. 


Camp  Bartow,  Greenbrier  River, 
October  7th,  1861. 

Col.  C  L.  Stevenson, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  N.  W.  A. : 

Colonel:  In  my  note  of  the  3d  inst.,  I  gave  you  a  brief 
account  of  the  attack  made  that  day  upon  our  position  by 
the  enemy. 

Advancing  along  the  turnpike  with  a  heavy  column,  com- 
posed of  infantry,  artillery  and  cavalry  numbering,  at  a  safe 
estimate,  from  six  to  seven  thousand  men,  he  drove  in  our 
advanced  pickets  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning.  About 
seven  o'clock  he  encountered  the  main  body  of  the  advanced 
guard,  reinforced  to  about  one  hundred  strong,  and  posted 
on  the  right  side  of  the  turnpike,  one  mile  from  our  lines,  by 
Colonel  Edward  Johnson,  of  the  12th  Georgia  Regiment, 
who  took  comma  ml  in  person. 

You  will  find  this  position  designated  upon  the  accompa- 
nying map  by  the  capital  letter  "  E."  It  is  but  justice  to 
this  superior  officer,  and  to  the  gallant  band  whose  move- 
ments he  directed,  to  say  that  it  would  not  have  been  possi- 
ble for  so  small  a  force  to  have  been  more  skillfully  handled, 
or  to  have  exhibited  more  obstinate  courage,  in  the  face  of 
numbers  so  overwhelming.  They  held  the  column  of  the 
enemy  in  check  for  nearly  an  hour,  pouring  into  the  head  of 
it  i  galling  fire,  not  withdrawing  until  six  pieces  of  artillery 
had  opened  briskly  upon  them,  and  full  battalions  of  infan- 
try wore  outflanking  them  on  the  right,  and  then,  retiring  in 
such  order,  and  taking  such  advantage  of  the  ground,  as  to 
reach   our  camp   with  but  a  trifling  loss.     To  this  brilliant 


62 

skirmish,  in  which  Colonel  Johnson  had  his  horse  killed 
under  him,  is  doubtless  to  be  ascribed,  in  a  measure,  the  ex- 
hilirated  spirit  manifested  by  our  troops  during  the  remainder 
of  the  day.  Before  taking  leave  of  it,  and  referring  to 
former  dispatches,  I  would  beg  once  again  to  direct  to  Colo- 
nel Edward  Johnson  the  special  attention  of  the  commanding 
general, 'not  simply  for  this  peculiarly  brilliant  service,  but 
for  his  gallant  and  efficient  conduct  throughout  the  entire 
engagement. 

So  soon  as  it  had  become  apparent  that  the  enemy  con- 
templated a  systematic  attack  upon  our  camp,  I  disposed  of 
my  entire  force  to  meet  it.  To  convey  a  correct  idea,  not 
simply  of  that  disposition,  but  of  the  subsequent  action,  I 
must  pray  reference  to  the  accompanying  map,  for  which  I 
am  indebted  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Barton,  of  the  3d  Arkan- 
sas Regiment. 

As  I  have  already  reported  to  you,  our  position  is  not,  by 
nature,  a  commanding  one.  The  causes  of  its  weakness  are 
the  necessity  of  defending  extended  lines  on  our  front  (not 
less  than  a  mile)  and  on  our  flanks,  and  the  fact  that  there 
are  points  in  our  rear  which,  in  the  possession  of  an  enemy, 
might  give  us  great  trouble.  The  works,  essential  to  our 
safety,  were  in  progress  of  construction  at  the  time  of  the 
attack,  but  were  only  partially  completed,  nothing  whatever 
having  been  done  to  strengthen  our  right  flank  or  our  rear. 
I  am  happy  to  say  that  during  the  last  three  days,  through 
the  indefatigable  efforts  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Barton,  in 
immediate  charge  of  the  works,  backed  by  the  cheerful  labor 
of  the  men,  we  are  already  in  condition  to  defy  an  approach 
from  any  quarter.  Not  doubting  that  the  attack  upon  us 
had  been,  to  some  extent,  invited  by  our  commencing  to 
fortify  ourselves  against  it,  and  fearing  that  the  enemy 
might  have  been  fully  advised  of  our  weak  points,  until  he 
had  actually  begun  his  retreat,  my  mind  could  not  dispossess 
itself  of  the  idea  that  he  had  sent  another  column  over  the 
mountains  to  turn  our  right  flank.  To  prepare  for  this 
danger,  I  held  the  1st  Georgia  Regiment,  so  far  as  that 
could  be  done,  in  reserve,  for  what  I  apprehended  would  be 
a  desperate  struggle.  I  also  sent  expresses  to  Colonel  Bald- 
win, whom  I  had  previously  ordered  to  the  top  of  the  Alle- 
ghany Ridge,  directing  him  to  move  the  52d  Virginia  Regi- 
ment as  rapidly  down  as  possible,  and  to  fall  upon  the  rear 
of  the  enemy,  should  he  undertake  to  fall  upon  ours.  That 
gallant  regiment  responded  (as  I  have  learned)  most  heartily 


63 

to  the  call,  and  when  halted  upon 'the  road,  by  the  tidings 
that  the  day  had  already  been  won,  despite  of  its  not-to-be- 
doubted  patriotism,  could  not  entirely  conceal  its  chagrin. 

The  two  brigades  in  this  camp,  weakened  by  the  absence 
of  the  several  corps  on  detached  service,  (the  5th  having 
been  reduced  from  this  cause  and  from  sickness  to  scarce 
one-third  of  its  legitimate  number)  I  posted  in  the  following 
order:  The  1st  Georgia  Regiment,  upon  our  extreme  right, 
under  command  of  Major  Thompson,  Colonel  Ramsey  (the 
field  officer  of  the  day)  having  been  cut  off  from  us  by  the 
enemy  while  discharging  his  duty  upon  the  road ;  next  to  it 
was  placed  the  12th  Georgia  Regiment — both  of  these  regi- 
ments designed  for  the  immediate  command  of  Colonel  John- 
son. At  an  early  moment  I  threw  out  what  few  mounted 
men  were  available  under  Captain  Sterrett,  of  the  Churchville 
Cavalry,  to  different  points  along  the  valley  upon  our  right, 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  us  timely  notice  of  an  approach 
by  the  enemy,  and  I  also  strengthened  considerably  the 
picket  guard  advanced  in  that  direction.  The  center  I 
entrusted  to  the  5th  Brigade,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Taliaferro,  composed  of  the  44th  Virginia  Regiment,  Colo* 
nel  Scott;  the  23d  Virginia  Regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Taliaferro,  and  Major  Rogers's  Battalion,  commanded,  in  his 
absence  from  sickness,  by  senior  Captain  John  C.  Iliggin- 
botham.  This  brigade  was  reduced  in  the  course  of  the 
action  by  the  detachment  of  one  hundred  men,  under  Major 
Jones,  of  the  44th,  to  reinforce  our  left  wing.  This  de- 
tachment marched  in  gallant  style,  under  the  enemy's  fire, 
to  the  position  assigned  it  in  line.  The  troops  on  this  wing, 
which,  from  the  character  of  the  ground,  were  widely  dis- 
persed, fell  under  the  general  command  of  Colonel  Rust,  of 
the  3d  Arkansas  Regiment,  and  consisted  of  his  own  com- 
mand, the  31st  Virginia  Volunteers,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Jackson,  and  the  Battalion  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ilansbo- 
rough,  commanded,  in  his  absence  on  account  of  sickness, 
by  senior  Captain  J.  A.  Robertson.  Upon  this  Hank,  aU<>. 
two  field  pieces  had  already  been  placed  in  battery  enfilading 
the  Huntersville  Road,  which  runs  at  right  angles,  if  indeed 
those  terms  can  be  applied  to  serpentine  mountain  roads, 
from  the  turnpike.  These  guns  were  under  the  immediate 
charge  of  Captain  V.  I».  Anderson,  and  the  zeal,  skill  and 
determination  of  that  officer,  leave  no  doubt  thai  they  would 
have  done  great  execution,  had  the  enemy  ventured  to  call 
them  into  action. 


64 

Captain  Shumaker's  Battery,  consisting  of  four  pieces, 
(six-pounders,)  one  of  them  rifled,  and  one  six-pounder, 
under  Captain  Rice,  were  held  in  readiness  for  the  front  and 
right  flank.  The  places  occupied  by  these  various  corps, 
you  will  find  specified  upon  the  map. 

Our  forces  were  all  in  position,  when,  at  about  8  o'clock, 
the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire  from  six  (6)  pieces  of  differ- 
ent calibre,  placed  in  a  field  upon  the  right-hand  side  (to 
them)  of  the  turnpike  road,  and  bearing  upon  our  front  and 
center.  This  number  was  subsequently  increased  by  two 
other  pieces,  placed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  turnpike, 
one  near  it  and  the  other  upon  the  rise  of  the  hill.  This 
fire  (of  round  shot,  spherical  case,  shell,  and,  occasionally, 
upon  our  left  wing,  of  canister,)  was  continued  with  extra- 
ordinary rapidity,  and  without  intermission,  for  upwards  of 
four  hours,  the  eight  guns  constituting  the  well-known  field 
batteries  of  Howe  and  of  Loomis.  The  hill,  occupied  by 
Colonel  Taliaferro's  brigade,  invitingly  exposed  to  all  of 
these  batteries,  received  the  greater  share  of  their  attention, 
and,  but  for  the  protection  afforded  by  the  ditch  and  embank- 
ment running  along  its  brow,  and  constructed  under  the 
immediate  supervision  of  Colonel  Taliaferro  himself,  we 
should  doubtless  have  had  inflicted  upon  us  a  very  severe 
loss  indeed. 

This  fire  was  returned  with  great  energy,  and,  as  the  re- 
sult has  proved,  with  signal  effect,  by  the  guns  of  Captain 
Shumaker  and  Captain  Rice,  and  by  one  piece  detached  from 
Captain  Anderson's  battery  and  placed  upon  the  hill  occu- 
pied by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jackson.  Lieutenant  Massie, 
its  proper  chief,  being  quite  indisposed,  although  he  main- 
tained his  position  near  his  piece,  it  was  placed  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Deshler,  Aid-de-Camp  to  Colonel 
Johnson.  From  the  face  that  the  rifled  gun  of  Captain 
Shumaker  soon  became  useless  to  us,  (for  the  cause  of  this 
great  misfortune  see  his  own  report,  addressed  to  myself,) 
at  no  time  could  we  bring  more  than  five  pieces  into  action, 
to  return  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  eight.  Yet  that  fire  was 
returned,  and  that,  with  so  much  spirit  and  energy,  as  to 
render  this  "  artillery  duel "  peculiarly  interesting,  by 
the  character  of  the  field  and  its  mountain  surroundings, 
ever  memorable  by  those  who  beheld  it.  That  the  casualties 
among  our  cannoniers  should  have  been  so  few,  is  a  subject 
of  sincere  congratulation,  and  is  very  much  ascribable  to 
the  sound  judgment  of  Captain   Shumaker,  who  repeatedly 


65 

changed  the  position  of  his  guns,  when  those  of  the  enemy 
had  obtained  his  range.  For  a  minuter  description  of  the 
action,  in  this,  its  most  striking  phase,  I  take  great  pleasure 
in  referring  to  the  report  of  that  consummately  cool  and 
skillful  officer.  From  it  you  will  learn  why  it  was  that  our 
pieces,  at  the  close  of  the  four  hours'  interchange  of  fire, 
were  temporarily  withdrawn,  inducing  our  friends  upon  our 
extreme  left,  and  evidently  the  enemy,  to  suppose  that  they 
had  been  silenced. 

At  about  half-past  nine  a  strong  column  of  infantry  was 
seen  to  move  towards  our  left  flank.  Having  crossed  the 
so-called  river,  (in  fact  a  shallow  stream,  of  about  twenty 
yards  in  width,)  near  the  point  designated  on  the  map  by 
the  capital  letter  "A,"  it  undertook  to  turn  our  position  in 
that  direction.  Soon,  however,  it  encountered  a  portion  of 
the  3rd  Arkansas  Regiment,  which  drove  it  precipitately 
back  with  a  destructive  fire.  The  enemy  subsequently 
turned  two  of  his  pieces  upon  this  position  of  our  left  wing, 
pouring  out  canister  and  shell  in  large  volumes,  but  fortu- 
nately, on  account  of  the  protection  afforded  by  the  works, 
with  but  little  execution. 

Simultaneously  with  this  movement  towards  our  left,  ano- 
ther column  of  infantry  ascended  the  wooded  hill  beforeour 
right  wing,   at   the   point   designated   upon   the  map  by  the 
capital  letter  "  B."     Having   become,   at  its  head,  involved 
in  a  slight  skirmish  with   one   of  our  picket  guards,   it  was 
immediately  and  strongly  reinforced.      Subsequently  to  the 
repulse  of  the  column  from   our  left   flank,  it  proceeded  in 
the  same  general  direction,   ascending   the  hill  at  the  point 
designated  by  the  letter  "C,"  and  swelling  the  force,  which 
now  began  to  threaten  seriously  our  front  and  right,  to  some-! 
four  thousand  men.      They  moved  along  the  side  of  the  hill.. 
opening  upon  our   lines  a  desultory   fire  of  rifle  musketry, 
which  was  continued  until  the  close  of  the  anion.     So  soon 
as  the  designs  of  this  column  were  fully  developed,  1  ordered' 
the  12th  Georgia  Regiment  to  take  position  near  the  stream; 
where  i   small  detachment  of  it,  under  Lieutenant  Dawson;, 
had  already  been   posted,  with   instructions  to  engage  thi 
enemy  whenever  he   should  attempt  to  cross  it.     From  the 
fact  that  this  movement  was  made  in  full  face  of  largely  su- 
perior numbers,  and  with  a    superior  weapon,  and  protected 

by  cover  of  the  forest,   it   was  made  with  an  alacrity  and  a 
regularity   which  deserve  high  commendation,  as  does  also 
the  cool  determination  with  which  this  command   protecting 
5 


66 

itself,  as  best  it  might,  against  the  enemy's  fire,  received  it, 
but  returned  scarce  a  shot.  Not  long  thereafter,  I  ordered 
Captain  Shumaker  to  open  upon  the  same  column,  directing 
his  fire  to  where  he  supposed  the  head  of  it  to  be.  This  he 
promptly  did  with  two  of  his  pieces,  and  so  effectively,  that 
in  a  short  time  the  unmistakable  evidences  of  their  rout  be- 
came apparent.  Distinctly  could  their  officers  be  heard, 
with  words  of  mingled  command,  remonstrance  and  entreaty, 
attempting  to  rally  their  battalions  into  line,  and  to  bring 
them  to  the  charge,  but  they  could  not  be  induced  to  reform 
their  broken  ranks,  nor  to  emerge  from  the  cover  of  the 
woods,  in  the  direction  of  our  fire.  Rapidly  and  in  disorder 
they  returned  into  the  turnpike,  and  soon  thereafter  the  en- 
tire force  of  the  enemy — artillery,  infantry  and  cavalry — 
retreated  in  confusion  along  the  road  and  adjacent  fields, 
leaving  behind  them,  at  different  points,  numbers  of  their 
killed,  guns,  knapsacks,  canteens,  etc.,  etc.  Among  other 
trophies  taken,  were  a  stand  of  United  States  colors,  which 
are  held  subject  to  the  order  of  the  commanding  general. 

This  engagement  lasted  from  seven  in  the  morning  to  half- 
past  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  which  time  the  enemy, 
who  had  come  with  artillery  to  bombard  and  demoralize  us  ; 
with  infantry  to  storm  our  camp  ;  with  cavalry  to  rout  and 
destroy  us,  and  with  four  days  cooked  rations  in  his  haversack, 
to  prosecute  a  rapid  march  either  towards  Staunton  or  to- 
wards Huntersville,  was  in  precipitate  retreat  back  to  his 
Cheat  Mountain  fastness.  And  it  is  certainly  a  matter  not 
unworthy  of  mention,  that  while  his  first  insolent  advances 
were  received  with  defiant  cheers,  running  from  one  end  to 
the  other  of  our  line,  he  was  permitted  to  take  his  departure 
under  the  simple  reports  of  our  pieces,  firing  upon  him  so 
long  as  he  continued  within  their  range.  The  relative  weak- 
ness of  our  force,  and  the  entire  absence  of  cavalry,  pre- 
vented our  pursuing  him,  and  thereby  realizing  the  legiti- 
mate fruits  of  our  triumph.  His  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
is  estimated  at  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred 
— among  them  an  officer  of  superior  rank.  Our  own,  I  am 
happy  to  say,  was  very  inconsiderable,  not  exceeding  fifty  in 
all.  This  most  gratifying  result  is  to  be  attributed,  in  a 
great  degree,  to  the  remarkable  coolness  of  regimental  and 
company  officers,  who  never  seemed  for  a  moment  to  lose 
their  presence  of  mind  ;  never  allowed  their  men  unnecessa- 
rily to  expose  themselves,  and  profited  by  every  advantage 
of  ground  and  position,  to  shield  them  from  danger. 


67 

In  conclusion,  I  take  great  pride  in  saying  that  the  bear- 
ing of  all  the  troops,  both  officers  and  men,  with  but  few- 
exceptions,  was  highly  creditable  to  themselves  and  to  the 
army.  Among  those  who  enjoyed  the  opportunity,  coveted 
by  all,  of  attracting  special  notice,  in  addition  to  the  name 
of  Col.  Johnson,  I  would  mention  those  of  Capt.  Shumaker, 
who  was  wounded  at  his  battery,  and  to  whom  I  have  already 
had  repeated  occasion  to  refer ;  of  Capt.  Wm.  H.  llice,  of 
whom  Capt.  Shumaker  speaks  in  the  following  emphatic 
language  :  "  He  had  been  working  his  piece  beautifully  for 
two  hours,  and  too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  him  for  the 
deliberate  manner  with  which  he  loaded  and  fired  his  piece; 
loading  and  firing  by  detail  for  an  hour,  in  the  midst  of  a 
storm  of  shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy,"  until  he  was  strick- 
en to  the  earth  severely  wounded ;  of  Capt.  Deshler,  who 
directed  a  rapid  fire  with  marked  effect,  and  of  Sergeant 
Graves,  who  fell  mortally  wounded  in  the  cool  and  gallant 
discharge  of  his  duty.  Peculiarly  distinguished  among  the 
advanced  guard,  where  all  were  distinguished,  must  be  re- 
corded the  names  of  Lieut.  Gibson,  of  the  Third  Arkansas 
Regiment — the  officer  in  immediate  command ;  of  private 
Slayton,  of  the  31st  Virginia  Regiment,  who  was  severely 
wounded,  and  of  private  J.  W.  Brown,  of  Company  F,  First 
Georgia  Regiment,  who,  upon  hearing  the  order  to  fall  back, 
exclaimed:  "7  will  give  them  one  more  shot  before  I  leave,'''' 
and  while  ramming  down  his  29th  cartridge,  fell  dead  at  his 
post.  Nor  can  I  omit  mention,  in  this  connection,  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Barton,  who,  in  the  absence  of  Engineer  Staff  Officers, 
designed,  and  was  in  active  prosecution  of  the  works,  to 
which  we  are  so  much  indebted,  for  the  defence  of  our  posi- 
tion, and  who  has  shown  himself,  at  all  times,  prompt  to 
render  cheerful  and  efficient  service. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  Colonel  Taliaferro, 
whose  marked  coolness  and  energy  could  not  fail  to  inspire 
his  men,  and  Col.  Rust,  in  command  of  the  left  wing,  from 
which  the  enemy  was  first  repelled, discharged  their  respon- 
sible duty  successfully  and  well. 

Finally,   my   own  thanks  are  especially  due  to  my  Aids, 
Major  F.  8.  Bloom,  and  Lieut.  W.  1).  Humphries,  C.  S.  A 
for  the  gallant  and  efficient  manner  in  which  they  responded 
to  the  peculiar  and  exposing  calls   made  upon   them.     It  is 


68 

but  justice  to  add  that  Cadet  Henry  Jackson,  C.  S.  A.,  drew 
notice  to  himself  by  his  gallantry  under  fire. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  a  list  of  casualties. 
I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  ob't  serv't, 
(Signed.)  HENRY  R.  JACKSON, 

Brig.  Gen.  Com'g. 
(Official.) 

R.  H.  Chilton,  A.  A.  Gen'L 


BErORT  OF  THE  ENGAGEMENT  AT  SANTA  ROSA 
ISLAND,  ON  THE  NIGHT  OF  OCTOBER  8th,  1861. 
BRAXTON  BRAGG,  MAJOR  GENERAL  COM- 
MANDING. 


Headquarters  Army  of  Pensacola,  {[ 
Near  Pensacola,  Fla.,  Oct.  29th,  1861.      i 

Sir  :  Owing  to  the  disability  of  Brigadier  General  Ander- 
son from  his  wound,  I  have  been  unable  to  procure  earlier  a 
detailed  report  of  the  affair  with  the  enemy,  on  Santa  Rosa 
Island,  on  the  night  of  the  Sth  and  9th  instants,  with  a  tab- 
ular statement  of  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  ;  it  is  here- 
with enclosed.  The  circumstances  attending  this  little 
expedition  rendered  it  a  most  daring  and  successful  feat  of 
arms.  Landing  from  steamers  and  flats  on  the  enemy's 
shore,  within  sight  of  his  fleet,  marching  some  three  or  four 
miles,  in  the  darkness  of  night,  over  an  unknown  and  almost 
impassable  ground,  under  his  guns,  killing  his  pickets. 
storming  his  entrenched  camp  of  six  or  seven  hundred 
men,  driving  the  enemy  off  in  utter  confusion  and  dismay, 
and  burning  'every  vestige  of  clothing,  equipage  and  pro- 
vision, leaving  them  individually  in  a  state  of  destitu- 
tion, and  this  under  the  close  range  of  the  guns  of  his 
stronghold,  Fort  Pickens,  without  his  discovering  our  object, 
or  firing  a  Lrun.  is  an  achievement  worthy  of  the  gallant  men 
who  executed  it.  Our  loss  was  almost  entirely  the  result  of 
exhaustion  from  the  fatigue  of  the  march,  and  from  the  over 
.zeal  of  the  hospital  guard,  left  to  protect  the  enemy's  sick, 
■when  they  were  captured.  From  the  nature  of  the 
and  the  necessity  of  rapidly  retiring  with  our  Bmall  force. 
before  the  enemy  could  rally  from  his  surprise,  some  of  our 
wounded  were  left  on  the  field,  and.  T  regrel  to  say,  indica- 
tions show  they  were  brutally  murdered  by  the  enemy.  Of 
thirteen  dead  bodies  recovered,  eleven  were  shot  through  the 


70 

head,  having,  at  the  same  time,  disabling  wounds  on  the 
body;  this  fact  admits  of  but  one  inference. 

Brigadier  General  Anderson  commends,  in  very  just  terms, 
the  gallantry  of  his  little  band,  who  have  fully  justified  the 
high  estimate  I  had  formed  of  this  excellent  little  army. 
They  have  shown,  it  is  only  necessary  to  order,  and  they 
will  promptly  execute,  however  desperate  the  undertaking. 

The  General  modestly  omits  to  mention  that,  at  the  close 
of  the  affair,  he  received  a  painful  wound  in  the  left  arm, 
from  a  musket  ball,  which  will  disable  him  for  several  weeks. 

In  commending  the  troops  generally  for  their  good  con- 
duct, I  cannot  omit  to  mention  the  separate  commanders  of 
the  three  small  columns — Colonel  J.  Patton  Anderson,  1st 
Florida  Volunteers ;  Colonel  J.  K.  Jackson,  5th  Georgia 
Volunteers,  and  Colonel  J.  R.  Chalmers,  9th  Mississippi 
Volunteers. 

The  darkness  and  nature  of  the  service  rendered  it  neces- 
sary for  each  one  to  act  an  independent  part.  They  proved 
themselves  not  only  gallant  leaders,  but  competent  com- 
manders. 

To  Captain  W.  R.  Boggs,  Engineer  C.  S.  A.,  and  1st 
Lieutenant  J.  E.  Slaughter,  C.  S.  Artillery,  Acting  Inspec- 
tor General,  I  am  indebted  for  the  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
enemy's  pickets  and  positions,  obtained  by  close  reconnois- 
sance  on  which  the  expedition  was  based,  and  for  the  secret 
and  complete  organization  which  incurred  its  success. 
I  am,  sir, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed.)  BRAXTON  BRAGG, 

Major  General  Commanding. 
Adjutant  General  C.  S.  A.,  Richmond,  Va. 

(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  R.  II.  ANDER- 
SON. 


Pensacola,  Florida,  Oct.  23,  1861. 

Sir  :  I  ha7e  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of 
the  affair  on  Santa  Rosa  Island,  on  the  night  of  the  8th, 
and  morning  of  the  9th  of  October  : 

The  detachment  which  had  been  ordered  to  assemble  at  the 
Navy  Yard,  arrived  at  the  hour  appointed,  and  were  embark- 
ed in  good  order  on  the  steamer  "  Time." 

Whilst  proceeding  from  the  Navy  Yard  to  Pensacola  the 
troops  were  divided  into  battalions,  as  follows  : 

The  first  battalion,  three  hundred  and  fifty  strong,  to  the 
command  of  which  Colonel  James  R.  Chalmers,  9th  Missis- 
sippi Regiment,  was  assigned,  was  composed  of  detachments 
from  the  9th  and  10th  Mississippi  and  1st  Alabama  Regi- 
ments. 

Three  companies  of  the  7th  Regiment  Alabama  Volun- 
teers, two  companies  of  Louisiana  Infantry,  and  two  com- 
panies of  the  1st  Regiment  of  Florida  Volunteers,  composed 
the  second  battalion,  some  four  hundred  strong,  to  the  com- 
mand of  which  Colonel  J.  Patton  Anderson,  1st  Florida 
Regiment  of  Volunteers,  was  assigned. 

The  third  battalion,  two  hundred  and  sixty  strong,  under 
command  of  Colonel  John  K.  Jackson,  5th  Regiment  Geor- 
gia Volnnteers,  was  composed  <>f  detachments  from  the  5th 
Georgia  Regiment  and  the  Georgia  Battalion. 

An  independent  company,  of  fifty-three  men,  selected  from 
the  5th  Georgia  Itegimcnt,  and  Captain  Homer's  company 
of  Artillery,  lightly  armed  with  pistols  anil  knives,  carrying 
materials  for  Bpiking  cannon,  burning  and  destroying  build- 
ings, gun-carriages,  fee.,  was  placed  under  command  of 
Lieutenant  Hallonqraist,  Acting  Ordnance  Officer. 


72 

Lieutenant  Nelms,  Adjutant  oth  Georgia  Regiment,  was 
attached  to  this  command. 

The  medical  officers  who  accompanied  the  expedition  were 
Dr.  Micks,  of  the  Louisiana  Infantry ;  Dr.  Tompkins,  of 
the  5th  Georgia  Regiment;  Dr.  Golson,  of  the  9th  Mississippi 
Regiment;  Dr.  Lipscemb,  of  the  10th  Mississippi  Regiment, 
and  Dr.  Gamble,  of  the  1st  Florida  Regiment;  and  a  detail 
of  twenty  men  was  made  to  attend  on  and  assist  them. 

Arriving  at  Pensacola  at  about  10  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  trans- 
fer of  the  troops  to  the  steamer  "  Ewing  "  and  the  barges 
and  flats  which  had  been  provided,  was  pushed  on  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  but  not  without  some  unavoidable  delay.  It 
was  found  absolutely  necessary  to  employ  the  Neaffie  to  as- 
sist us  in  towing,  and  at  length,  all  preparations  having 
been  completed,  the  boats  departed  from  Pensacola  at  a  little 
after  12  o'clock,  crossed  the  bay,  and  effected  a  landing  at 
the  point  which  had  been  indicated  by  instructions.  Dis- 
embarkation was  rapidly  executed  in  good  order  and  silence, 
and  the  battalions  were  joined  upon  the  beach  at  a  little 
after  2  A.  M. 

To  effectually  accomplish  the  object  of  the  expedition, 
Colonel  Chalmers  was  directed  to  advance  rapidly  along  the 
north  beach,  Colonel  Anderson  along  the  south  beach,  and 
Colonel  Jackson,  tollowing  a  few  hundred  yards  in  rear  of 
Colonel  Chalmers,  was  to  push  his  command  to  the  middle  of 
the  Island,  and  deploy  it  as  soon  as  he  should  hear  firing  from 
either  of  the  other  battalions,  or  should  perceive  from  any 
other  indications  that  the  enemy's  camp  Avas  approached  or 
assailed  by  the  other  columns. 

Colonels  Chalmers  and  Anderson  had  been  further  directed 
to  endeavor  to  restrain  their  men  from  firing,  to  capture 
guards  and  sentinels,  and  to  place  their  commands,  if  possi- 
ble, between  Fort  Pickens  and  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 

Lieutenant  Hallonquist  followed  in  rear  of  Colonel  Jack- 
son's Battalion,  with  orders  to  do  whatever  damage  he  could 
to  the  batteries,  buildings,  and  camps,  from  which  the  ene- 
my might  be  driven. 

After  a  march  of  three  or  four  miles,  rendered  toilsome 
and  fatiguing  by  the  nature  of  the  ground,  the  head  of  Col. 
Chalmers's  column  came  suddenly  upon  a  sentinel,  who  fired 
inefficiently  at  our  troops,  and  was  himself  instantly  shot 
down. 

The  alarm  having  been  thus  given,  and  it  becoming  impos- 
sible to  conceal  our  further  advance  from  the  enemy,  I  or- 


73 

dered  Col.  Jackson  to  push  his  way  through  the  thickets  to 
the  middle  of  the  Island  and  advance  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

The  guards  and  outposts  of  the  Zouaves  were  now  rapidly 
driven  in  or  shot  down,  and  the  progress  of  a  few  hundred 
yards',  quickly  accomplished  by  Col.  Jackson,  brought  him 
upon  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  in  advance  of  either  of  the 
other  battalions.  Without  a  moment's  delay,  he  charged  it 
with  the  bayonet,  but  met  with  no  resistance.  The  camp 
was  almost  entirely  deserted,  and  our  troops  speedily  applied 
the  torch  to  the  tents,  store-houses  and  sheds  of  Wilson's 
Zouaves. 

In  the  meantime,  Colonels  Chalmers  and  Anderson,  ad- 
vancing along  the  shores  of  the  Island,  encountered  pickets 
and  out-posts,  with  which  they  had  some  sharp  skirmishing, 
but  quickly  beat  them  off  and  joined  in  the  work  of  destroy- 
ing the  camp. 

This  having  been  most  thoroughly  executed,  the  troops 
were  re-assembled,  with  a  view  to  proceeding  against  and 
destroying  the  batteries,  which  lay  between  the  camp  and 
Fort  Pickens,  but  daylight  appearing,  and  there  being  no 
longer  a  possibility  of  a  surprise  of  the  batteries,  I  directed 
the  signal  for  retiring  to  be  sounded  and  the  troops  to  be 
put  in  march  for  the  boats.  At  about  half-way  between  the 
Zouave  camp  and  the  point  of  disembarkation  of  our  troops, 
we  encountered  two  companies  of  United  States  Regulars, 
which  had  passed  us  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  and  posted 
themselves  behind  a  dense  thicket  to  intercept  our  retiring 
column,  and  a  very  sharp  but  short  skirmish  ensued.  The 
enemy  was  speedily  driven  off,  and  our  troops  resumed  their 
march.  The  re-embarkation  was  successfully  accomplished, 
and  the  order  given  to  the  steamer  to  steer  for  Pensacola, 
when  it  was  discovered  that  a  hawser  had  become  entangled 
in  the  propeller  of  the  Neaffic,  and  that  she  could  not  move. 
After  some  delay,  from  ineffectual  attempts  to  extricate  the 
propeller,  she  and  the  large  flat  which  she  had  in  tow  were 
made  fast  to  the  Ewing.  It  was  soon  found,  however,  that, 
with  this  encumbrance,  the  Ewing  would  not  obey  her  helm, 
and  that  a  change  in  the  manner  of  towing  the  Neaffie  was 
necessary.  Whilst  attempting  to  make  this  change,  the  flats 
and  barges  which  the  Swing  had  in  tow,  became  detached 
from  her,  and  still  further  delay  was  occasioned  in  recover- 
ing them. 

By  the  time  this  had  been  done  the  hawser  was  cut  away 
from  the  propeller,  and  the   Neaffie  proceeded  on  her  way. 


74 

The  enemy  taking  advantage  of  these  circumstances,  ap- 
peared among  the  sand-hills,  near  the  beach,  and  opened  a 
fire  upon  the  masses  of  our  troops,  densely  crowded  upon 
our  transports,  but -without  doing  much  execution,  and  we 
were  soon  out  of  range  of  their  rifles. 

The  necessity  of  using  the  Neaffie  as  a  tug,  and  the  acci- 
dent, which,  for  some  time,  disabled  her,  prevented  her  guns 
from  being  brought  into  play ;  otherwise  she  might  have 
rendered  effectual  service  in  driving  back  the  enemy,  who 
harrassed  us  from  the  beach. 

Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  as  follows : 

Killed — Two  commissioned  officers,  four  non-commissioned 
officers,  eleven  privates,  and  one  citizen  volunteer. 

Wounded — Two  commissioned  officers,  five  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  and  thirty-two  privates. 

Taken  Prisoners — Five  commissioned  officers  and  two 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  twenty-three  privates. 

The  larger  portion  of  the  officers,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  privates,  captured  by  the  enemy,  were  the  guard 
left  for  the  protection  of  their  hospital  and  sick,  and  the  medi- 
cal officers  who  had  remained  in  the  building  to  attend  to 
such  of  our  wounded  as  might  be  carried  there. 

Notwithstanding  that  I  caused  the  signal  for  retiring  to 
be  repeatedly  sounded  during  the  return  of  the  troops,  it 
was  not  heard  at  the  hospital,  and  the  guard  and  medical 
officers  were  cut  off  and  taken  prisoners. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy,  in  killed  and  wounded,  has  not 
been  precisely  ascertained,  but  is  certainly  known  to  have 
much  exceeded  our  own. 

From  such  imperfect  observation  as  I  made  in  passing 
over  parts  of  the  ground,  I  will  estimate  his  loss  at  fifty  or 
sixty  killed  and  one  hundred  wounded. 

Twenty  prisoners  were  taken,  among  them,  Major  Israel 
Vodges,  of  the  United  States  Artillery. 

The  destruction  of  property  in  the  conflagration  was  very 
great.  Large  stores  of  provisions,  supplies  of  clothing, 
camp  and  garrison  equipage,  arms  and  ammunition,  were 
entirely  consumed. 

Some  arms  were  brought  away  by  our  men,  and  in  a  few 
instances  money  and  clothing,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  report 
of  Colonel  Jackson,  and  I  would  respectfully  recommend 
that  the  captors  be  permitted  to  retain  whatever  private  pro- 
perty they  have  taken. 


75 

It  is  with  pride  and  pleasure  that  I  bear  testimony  to, 
and  call  to  the  notice  of  the  General  commanding,  the  ad- 
mirable  conduct  of  the  troops  throughout  the  expedition  and 
conflict. 

The  alacrity,  courage  and  discipline  exhibited  by  them, 
merit  the  highest  commendation,  and  give  assurance  of  suc- 
cess in  any  future  encounter  which  they  may  have  with  the 
enemies  of  our  country 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  accompanying  reports  of 
commanders  of  battalions,  and  of  Lieutenant  Hallonquist, 
for  particulars  concerning  casualties,  incidents  and  individual 
instances  of  meritorious  conduct. 

I  enclose  the  report  of  Capt.  Brent,  C.  S.  N.,  who  was 
charged  with  the  entire  arrangements  for  the  transportation 
of  my  command,  under  whose  direction  this  important  mat- 
ter was  very  successfully  managed. 

The  report  of  Major  Lovell,  C.  S.  A.,  Chief  of  Harbor 
Police,  and  in  command  of  the  steamer  Neaffie,  is  also  sub- 
mitted. 

The  members  of  my  Staff,  Captain  T.  S.  Mills,  Assistant 
Adjutant  General,  and  Captain  Hugh  M.  King,  Fifth  Regi- 
ment Georgia  Volunteers,  Lieutenants  Calvin  Say  re  and 
Wilbur  Johnson,  C.  S.  Marines,  (who  volunteered  their  ser- 
vices and  acted  as  my  aids,)  rendered  me  active  and  efficient 
assistance  throughout  the  whole  of  the  operations. 

Captain  Mills,  who  was  with  Colonel  Anderson's  Battalion 
in  its  first  encounter  with  the  enemy,  received  a  severe  con- 
tusion in  the  chest  from  a  partially  spent  ball,  but  never- 
theless continued  energetically  to  perform  his  duties ;  and 
Lieutenant  Sayre,  whilst  fearlessly  using  his  revolver  with 
effect,  had  his  thigh-bone  shattered,  just  above  the  right 
knee,  by  a  musket  ball,  and  being  left  upon  the  ground,  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Captain  Hugh  M.  King,  in  conveying  orders  and  superin- 
tending the  destruction  of  the  camp,  displayed  commendable 
zeal  and  activity,  ami  the  ardor  and  intrepidity  of  Lieut. 
Johnson,  whilst  deserving  especial  notice,  give  promise  of 
this  young  officer's  future  success  and  distinction. 

The  officers  of  the  Medio*!  Staff  rendered  to  the  wounded 
every  service,  which,  under  the  circumstances,  was  possible. 

Colonels  Anderson  and  Jackson  pay  graceful  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  Captain  Bradford  and  Lieutenant  Nelms,  of 
their  regiments,  to  which  1  desire  to  add  my  respectful  ad- 


76 

miration  for  them,  and  for  every  brave  patriot  who  fell  with 
them  in  defence  of  their  country's  liberties. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

R.  H.  ANDERSON, 
Brigadier  General  Provisional  Army. 

Major  G.  G.  Garner, 

Assist.  Adjt.  Gen.  Confederate  Army, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army  of  Pensacola. 
(Official)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.   General. 


77 

LIST  of  Casualties  in  the  Affair  of  October  Sth  and  9th. 
1861,  on  Santa  Rosa  Island,  Florida. 


NO. 


KlLLBD. 

[Richard  Bradford.    ... 

Wm.  R.  Routh 

J.  Hale 

John  J.  Thompson 

Wm.  E.  Smith 

Henry  A.  Tilllnghast.. 
IL.  A.  Nelms 

J.  H.  Beddo 

JC.  H.   Caton 

R.  W.  Stewart 

J.  H.  Adams 

F.  J   Cook 

;  John  Staunton 

J.  S,  Jones 

D.  S.  Coriy 

James  Smith 


17  Wm.  Holbrook . 

IS  J.  B.  Higgins... 

19  J.  E.  Holmes... 

20  Lewis  Holmes.. 


Wocndkd. 


i 

6 
7 
8 
8 

10 

11 

u 
u 
u 

10 
10 
17 
II 
If 
80 
11 
88 
80 

'J  4 

80 
M 

87 
88 
88 
M 
81 
88 
80 

34 

80 
00 

27 

M 
If 

4' 
41 

01 


R.  H.Anderson 

Thomas  3.  Mills 

A.  R.  8harett 

Joseph  Hicks 

Peter  O'Neal 

Wm.  Denham 

Newton  Rice 

W.  H.  Smith 

Thomas  O'Connor 

Edward  Flynn 

T.  A   Allen 

8.  C.Wheeler 

E.  C.Cody 

W.  B.  B.  Cason 

R.  C.   Hays 

Thos.  Caldwell  

Wm.  C.  Gorick 

Walter  8.  Tuggle 

J.  M.  Handley 

K.  H.  Muse 

T.  B.  Thompson. 

H.   H.  Wet.b 

W.  A.  Gilmer 

.'    01     Carll  le 

A.  K.  Destine 

on  Quick 

W.  T  Price 

8.  (i.  Farmer 

B.  L.  Abston 

John  8.  Garrison 

T.  K.  Stillmao   

J.  B.  Day 

J»ra»s  P.  Barksdale.  . 

Ira  Ma' tin. .    

John  Claxton 

Dnffy 

Michael  Mort  mer  .  . . 
A  <  .  llollingswortb.. 
Wm    M.  Eldr 

C.  N.  Ketchum 

J.  W.  Sewell 

J.  H.  Dmy 


RANK. 


Captain. 

Sergeant. 

Private. 


1st  Lieut. 
Sergeant. 
Corpora). 

Private. 


Brig.  Gen. 

Captain. 

Private. 


Corporal. 
2d  Lieut. 
Sergeant. 
Corporal. 
Private. 


1st  Seigeant. 
Private. 


Sergeant. 
Private. 


Sergeant. 
Private. 


REGIMENT.      CO. 


Ut  Florida  Vols 


5th  Georgia  Vols 


1st  La.  Infantry. 
Ga.  and  Miss. 


Provls'l  Army. 
A.  G.  D.  P.  A. 
1st  Florida  Vols. 


5th  Georgia  Vols. 


5th  Ala.   Vols. 
7th  Ala.   Vols. 


1st   Ala.   Vols. 
Bin  Miss.  Vols. 


loth  Miss.  Vols. 
1st  La.  Infantry. 

Ga.  and  Miss. 


Seriously. 

Seriously. 

Seriously. 

Slightly. 

Slightly. 

Slightly. 

Seriously. 

Sll^hty. 

Slightly. 

Slight'y. 

Slightly. 

Mortally. 

Seriously. 

Seriously. 

Since  dead. 

Slightly. 

Since  dead. 

Severely. 

Slightly. 

BUghtly. 

Slightly. 
Slightly. 


i 
I? 
K 
A 
A 
A 
C 
C 
D 
D 
I) 
I) 
I 
H 
F 

A 
A 
A 
A 
A 
A 
E 
V. 
V. 

<; 

F 
F 

I) 
K 

<; 

K 

B  Since  dead. 

B  Since  dead. 

B 

D  Since  dead. 

1»  Severely. 

I> 

I)  Slightly. 

D  Slightly. 


78 


List  of  Casualties — Continued. 


NO. 


NAMES. 


REGIMENT.    ,00. 


Prison  krs 

Calvin  Sayre 

F.  M.  Farley  

ThoiriHS  R.  Bond 

Robert  I,.  Hale 

John  Mahony 

Larkln  Nickles 

Benj.  F.  Parker 

F.  Y.  Finley 

John  E.  Godley 

Columb.  F.  Hollyman 
J.  J.  H.  Patterson.... 
B   B.  Holt  

G.  W.  Clarke 

T.  W.  Everett. 

John  Burgesa 

W.  H.  Moore 

Henry  Ferguson 

J.  M.Fry 

L.  Moore 

M.  J.  Moseley 

Win.  J.  Jarvis 

S.  C.  Gholson 

F.  G.  DeRoche,  M.  D. 

Lo wnes  Lipscomb 

Win  Maulding 

H.  Deshinger 

J.  D.  Cooper ... 

Daniel  Jones 

Frank  Passent 

J.  McL.  Jones 

W.  L.  Jones 

J.  B.  Coxe 


1st  Sergeant. 

2d 

Private. 


C.  S.  Marines. 
1st  Florida  Vol? 


Corporal. 
Private. 


Ass't  Surg. 
Ho?.  Stew'd. 
Ass't  Surg. 
Private. 

1st  Lieut. 
Private. 


5th  Georgia  Vols. 


5th  Ala.  Vols. 
7ih  Ala.  Vols. 


1st  Florida  Vols. 
9th  Miss.  Vols. 
10th  Miss.  Vols. 

1st  La.  Infantry. 


wounded — paroled. 


Wounded. 

Wounded — since  dead. 

Wounded. 

Wounded— since  dead. 


Paroled. 
Paroled. 
Paroled. 


Official, 
(Signed.)  GEORGE  W.  GARNER, 

Major  and  Ass't  Adft  General. 

(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

Ass't  Adft  General. 


REPORT  OF  THE  ENGAGEMENT  OE  THE  SEVENTH 
BRIGADE,  WITH  THE  FEDERAL  FORCES,  ON 
THE  21st  AND  22nd  OF  OCTOBER,  AT  LEESBURG, 
VIRGINIA,  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  EVANS  COM- 
MANDING. 


Headquarters  Seventh  Brigade,  ) 

Leesburg,  Va.,  Oct.  31st.,  1861.  J 


Colonel 


I  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  action  of 
the  troops  of  the  Seventh  Brigade,  in  the  battle  of  the  21st 
and  22d  instants,  with  the  enemy  at  Leesburg,  Virginia : 

On  Saturday  night,  the  19th  instant,  about  7  o'clock,  P. 
M.,  the  enemy  commenced  a  heavy  cannonading  from  three 
batteries,  one  playing  on  my  entrenchment,  (known  as  Fort 
Evans,)  one  on  the  Leesburg  Turnpike,  and  one  on  Edward's 
Ferry.  Heavy  firing  was  also  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Dranesville. 

At  12  o'clock  at  night,  I  ordered  my  entire  Brigade  to 
the  Burnt  Bridge  on  the  Turnpike.  The  enemy  had  been 
reported  as  approaching  from  Dranesville  in  large  force. 
Taking  a  strong  position  on  the  North  side  of  Goose  Creek, 
I  awaited  his  approach. 

Reconnoitcring  the  Turnpike  on  Sunday  morning,  the 
courier  of  Gen.  McCall  was  captured,  bearing  dispatches  to 
Gen.  Meade,  to  examine  the  roads  leading  to  Leesburg. 
From  this  prisoner  I  learned  the  position  of  the  enemy  near 
Dranesville.  During  Sunday  the  enemy  kept  up  a  deliberate 
fire  without  any  effect. 


80 

Early  on  Monday  morning,  the  21st  inst.,  I  heard  the 
firing  of  my  pickets  at  Big  Spring,  who  had  discovered  that 
at  an  unguarded  point,  the  enemy  had  effected  a  crossing  in 
force  of  five  companies  and  were  advancing  on  Leesburg. 
Capt.  Duff,  of  the  17th  Regiment,  immediately  attacked  him, 
driving  him  back  with  several  killed  and  wounded. 

On  observing  the  movements  of  the  enemy  from  Fort 
Evans,  at  six  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  found  he  had  effected  a  cross- 
ing both  at  Edward's  Ferry  and  Ball's  Bluff,  and  I  made 
preparations  to  meet  him  in  both  positions,  and  immediately 
ordered  four  companies  infantry,  (two  of  the  18th,  one  of 
the  17th,  and  one  of  the  13th,)  and  a  cavalry  force  to  re- 
lieve Capt.  Duff;  the  whole  force  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  Lt.  Col.  W.  H.  Jenifer,  who  was  directed  to  hold 
his  position  till  the  enemy  made  further  demonstration  of 
his  design  of  attack.  This  force  soon  became  warmly  en- 
gaged with  the  enemy  and  drove  them  back  for  some  dis- 
tance in  the  woods. 

At  about  10  o'clock,  I  became  convinced  that  the  main 
point  of  attack  would  be  at  Ball's  Bluff,  and  ordered  Col. 
Hunton,  with  his  Regiment,  the  8th  Virginia  Volunteers,  to 
repair  immediately  to  the  support  of  Col.  Jenifer. 

I  directed  Col.  Hunton  to  form  line  of  battle  immediately 
in  the  rear  of  Col.  Jenifer's  command,  and  to  drive  the  ene- 
my to  the  river ;  that  I  would  support  his  right  with  artil- 
lery. About  twenty  minutes  past  12  o'clock,  meridian, 
Colonel  Hunton  united  his  command  with  that  of  Colonel 
Jenifer,  and  both  commands  soon  became  hotly  engaged  with 
the  enemy  in  their  strong  position  in  the  woods.  Watching 
carefully  the  action,  I  saw  the  enemy  were  constantly  being 
reinforced,  and  at  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  M  ,  ordered  Col. 
Burt  to  march  his  regiment,  the  18th  Mississippi,  and  at- 
tack the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  while  Col's  Hunton  and 
Jenifer  attacked  him  in  front.  On  arriving  at  his  position, 
Col.  Burt  was  received  Avith  a  tremendous  fire  from  the  ene- 
my, concealed  in  a  ravine,  and  was  compelled  to  divide  his 
regiment  to  stop  the  flank  movement  of  the  enemy. 

At  this  time,  about  three  o'clock,  finding  the  enemy  were 
in  large  force,  I  ordered  Col.  Featherston,  with  his  regiment, 
the  17th  Mississippi,  to  repair,  at  double-quick,  to  the  sup- 
port of  Col.  Burt,  where  he  arrived  in  twenty  minutes,  and 
the  action  became  general  along  my  whole  line,  and  was  very 
hot  and  brisk  for  more  than  two  hours,  the  enemy  keeping 
up  a  constant  fire  with  his  batteries,  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 


81 

At  about  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  saw  that  my  command  had 
driven  the  enemy  near  the  banks  of  the  Potomac;  I  ordered 
my  entire  force  to  charge  and  to  drive  him  into  the  river. 
The  charge  was  immediately  made  by  the  whole  command, 
and  the  forces  of  the  enemy  were  completely  routed,  and 
cried  out  for  quarter  along  his  whole  line. 

In  this  charge  the  enemy  were  driven  back  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  and  many  killed  and  wounded  by  this  formida- 
ble weapon.  In  the  precipitate  retreat  of  the  enemy  on  the 
Bluffs  of  the  river,  many  of  his  troops  rushed  into  the  water 
and  were  drowned ;  while  many  others,  in  overloading  the 
boats,  sunk  them,  and  shared  the  same  fate.  The  rout  now, 
about  seven  o'clock,  became  complete,  and  the  enemy  com- 
menced throwing  his  arms  into  the  river. 

During  this  action.  I  held  Col.  Win.  Barksdale,  with  nine 
companies  of  his  regiment,  the  13th  Mississippi,  and  six 
pieces  of  artillery  as  a  reserve,  as  well  as  to  keep  up  a  de- 
monstration against  the  force  of  the  enemy  at  Edward's 
Ferry. 

At  eight  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  enemy  surrendered  his  forces 
at  Ball's  Bluff,  and  the  prisoners  were  marched  to  Leesburg. 

I  then  ordered  my  Brigade,  (with  the  exception  of  the 
13th  Regiment  Mississippi,  who  remained  in  front  of  Ed- 
ward's Ferry,)  to  retire  to  the  town  of  Leesburg  and  rest  for 
the  night. 

On  Tuesday  morning  I  was  informed  by  Colonel  Barks- 
dale  that  the  enemy  were  still  in  considerable  force  at  Ed- 
ward's Ferry.  I  directed  him  to  make  a  thorough  reoon- 
noissance  of  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  and 
attack  him.  At  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  he  gallantly  attacked  a 
much  superior  force  in  their  entrenchments,  driving  bhem  to 
the  bank  of  the  river,  killing  thirty  or  forty,  and  wounding 
a  considerable  number. 

About  sundown,  the  enemy  being  strongly  reinforced  and 

ioned  in  rifle  pits,  Colonel  Barksdale  wisely  retired  with 

bis  regiment  to  Fori  Evans,  leaving  a  guard  of  two  eompa- 

to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  who,  evidently 

cting  i   renewed  attack,  retired  during  the  night,  and 

re-crossed  the  river  at  Edward's  Ferry. 

<  >n  Wednesday  morning,  finding  my  Brigade  very  much 
exhausted,  I  left  Colonel  Barksdale,  with  his  regiment,  with 
two  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  cavalry  force,  as  a  grand  guard, 
and  I  ordered  the  other  three  regiments  to  fall  back  towards 
Carter's  Mill  to  rest  and  to  be  collected  in  order.  <'"lonel 
6 


82 

Hunton,  with  his  regiment  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  were 
halted  at  a  strong  position  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Sycolin, 
about  three  miles  south  of  Leesburg. 

I  would  here  state,  that  on  an  interview  on  Monday  night, 
with  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  Federal  Army  taken 
prisoners,  I  was  convinced  that  they  expected  to  be  re-cap- 
tured either  during  the  night  or  the  next  day,  and  as  the 
captured  officers  refused  their  parole  not  to  take  up  arms 
against  the  Southern  Confederacy,  until  duly  exchanged,  I 
ordered  the  whole  number  to  be  immediately  marched  to 
Manassas.  This  parole  was  only  offered  to  give  them  the 
liberty  of  the  town,  as  I  did  not  wish  to  confine  them  with 
the  privates. 

In  the  engagement  on  the  21st  of  October,  which  lasted 
nearly  thirteen  hours,  our  loss  from  a  force  of  seventeen 
hundred  and  nine,  aggregate,  was  as  follows  : 

EIGHTH  REGIMENT  VA.   VOLS.  KILLED.       WOUNDED. 

Commissioned  officers 

Non-commissioned   officers 

Privates .- 

Total 8  43 

Since  died  of  wounds,  three  privates  and  one  lieutenant  taken 
prisoner, 

THIRTEENTH    REGIMENT    MISS.  VOLS.       KILLED.       WOUNDED, 

Commissioned  officers  (22d) 1  0 

Non-commissioned  officers 0  0 

Privates.. 3  2 

Total.. 4  2 

One  private  taken  prisoner. 

SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  MISS.  VOLS.       KILLED.       WOUNDED. 


0 

4 

3 

2 

5 

37 

0 
0 

2 

1 
0 
8 

9 

83 

EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT  MISS.   VOLS.  KILLED.       WOUNDED. 

Commissioned  officers 0  7 

Non-commissioned  officers 2  6 

Privates 20  50 

Total 22  63 

Total  loss  killed  and  wounded,       153 

Taken  prisoners 2 1 55 

The  force  of  the  enemy,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  as- 
certain, was  five  regiments  and  three  pieces  of  artillery  at 
Ball's  Bluff,  and  four  regiments,  two  batteries  and  a  squad- 
ron of  cavalry  at  Edward's  Ferry,  numbering  in  all  about 
eight  thousand  troops. 

In  addition  to  this  force,  three  batteries  of  long  range 
were  constantly  firing  on  my  troops  from  the  Maryland  side: 
of  the  river. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  so  far  as  known  is  as  follows : 

Thirteen  hundred  killed,  wounded  and  drowned; 

Captured  seven  hundred  and  ten  prisoners; 

Fifteen  hundred  stand  of  arms  ; 

Three  pieces  of  cannon  : 

One  stand  of  colors,  a  large  number  of  cartridge  boxes,, 
bayonet  scabbards  and  a  quantity  of  camp  furniture. 

Among  the  killed  of  the  enemy  was  General  Baker,  for- 
merly Senator  from  Oregon,  and  several  other  commissioned 
officers. 

Among  the  prisoners  taken  were  twenty-two  commissioned 
officers,  the  names  of  whom  have  already  been  furnished. 

General  C.  1*.  Stone  commanded  the  Federal  forces  until 
3  o'clock,  A.  M..  on  the  morning  of  the  22<\,  when  he  was 
superseded  by  Major  General  N.  I'.  Banks. 

The  engagment  on  our  side  was  fought  entirely  with  the 
musket;  the  artillery  was  in  position  to  do  effective  service 
should  the  enemy  have  advanced  from  their  cover. 

The  enemy  were  aimed  with  the  Minnie  musket,  the  Bel- 
gian gun.  and  Springfield  musket  ;  a  telescopic  target  rifle 
was  also  among  the  arms  found. 

In  closing  my  report,  I  would  call  the  attention  of  the 
General  commanding  t<»  the  heroism  and  gallantry  displayed 
by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  7th  Brigade,  in  the  action  of 
the  21st  and  22d  of  October.     The  promptness  with  which 


84 

every  commander  obeyed,  and  the  spirit  with  which  their  men 
executed  my  orders  to  attack  the  enemy,  in  much  superior 
force,  and  in  a  position  where  he  had  great  advantages,  enti- 
tles them  to  the  thanks  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  With- 
out food  or'  rest,  for  more  than  twelve  hours  previous  to  the 
commencement  of  the  battle,  they  drove  an  enemy,  four 
times  their  number,  from  the  soil  of  Virginia,  killing  and 
taking  prisoners  a  greater  number  than  our  whole  force  en- 
gaged. To  witness  the  patience,  enthusiasm  and  devotion 
of  the  troops  to  our  cause,  during  an  action  of  thirteen 
hours,  excited  my  warmest  admiration. 

As  my  entire  Brigade  exceeded  my  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations, in  their  intrepidity  and  endurance,  I  am  unable  to 
individualize  any  particular  command,  as  the  tenacity  with 
which  each  regiment  held  their  positions,  was  equalled  only 
by  their  undaunted  courage  and  firm  determination  to  con- 
quer. 

To  my  General  Staff  I  am  much  indebted.  Maj.  John  D. 
Rogei  s,  Brigade  Quartermaster,  was  directed  to  conduct  the 
bao-ffao-e  trains  beyond  Goose  Creek,  which  difficult  duty  was 
performed  in  the  night  with  great  regularity.  Captain  Orr, 
Brigade  Commissary,  was  actively  engaged  in  securing  com- 
missary stores  and  in  providing  cooked  rations  for  the  Bri- 
gade. To  my  Acting  Aid-de-Camp,  Lieut.  Chas.  B.  Wild- 
man,  of  the  17th  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers,  and  my 
Volunteer  Aid,  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Rogers,  I  am  particularly  in- 
debted for  services  on  the  field  of  battle.  Lieut.  Wildman 
conducted  the  18th  Regiment,  and  Mr.  Rogers  the  17th  Re- 
giment of  Mississippi  Volunteers  to  their  respective  posi- 
tions in  the  action,  and  both  repeatedly  bore  my  orders  un- 
der heavy  fire. 

Capt.  A.  L.  Evans,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  though 
detained  by  other  duty  till  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  rendered  valu- 
able services. 

The  Medical  Staff,  both  Brigade  and  Regimental,  were  all 
actively  engaged  during  the  day  in  removing  the  dead  and 
wounded,  and  in  patriotically  administering  relief  to  the  dying 
on  the  field. 

I  am  pained  to  report  the  fall  of  the  gallant  Colonel  E.  R. 
Burt,  of  the  18th  Regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers.  He 
was  mortally  wounded  about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  while  gal- 
lantly leading  his  regiment  under  a  tremendous  fire.  *  * 
His  loss  is  truly  severe  to  his  regiment  and  to  our  common 
cause. 


85 

At  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  21st  a  message  was  sent  to 
Brigadier  General  11.  L.  White  to  bring  his  militia  force  to 
my  assistance  at  Fort  Evans.  He  reported  to  me,  in  person, 
that  he  was  unable  to  get  his  men  to  turn  out,  though  there 
were  a  great  number  in  town,  and  arms  and  ammunition  were 
offered  them. 

The  prisoners  taken  were  sent  to  Manassas  under  charge 
of  Capt.  0.  R.  Singleton,  of  the  18th  Regiment  Of  Missis- 
sippi Volunteers,  with  his  company,  and  Captain  W.  A.  R. 
Jones,  of  the  1 7th  Regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers,  and  a 
detachment  of  cavalry;  the  whole  under  command  of  Capt. 
Singleton,  who  conducted  529  prisoners  nearly  twenty-live 
miles,  after  the  great  fatigue  of  the  battle. 

Accompanying  this  report,  I  enclose  an  accurate  map  of 
the  field  of  battle,  and  the  reports  of  the  immediate  com- 
manders. To  the  latter  I  would  respectfully  refer  for  indi- 
vidual acts  of  gallantry  and  patriotism. 

I  also  forward  the  report  of  the  Field  Officer  of  the  day, 
Lieut.  Col.  McGuirk,  of  the  17th  Regiment  Mississippi  Vol- 
unteers, to  whom  I  am  much  indebted  for  information  of  the 
flank  movements  of  the  enemy. 

Lieut.  Sheffield  Duval,  here  on  duty  as  Topographical 
Engineer,  and  Sergeant  Wm.  R.  Chambliss,  of  the  18th  Re- 
giment Mississippi  Volunteers,  my  private  secretary,  ren- 
dered material  service — the  former  by  fighting  on  foot  with 
his  musket  as  a  private — the  latter  by  conveying  my  orders 
on  the  field  of  battle,  under  heavy  fire. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  N.  G.  EVANS, 

Hi  ■  igadier  General  commanding  1th  Brigade. 

To  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  Jordan,  Assist,  ddjt.  General. 

1st  Corps  Army  of  Potomac,  near  ( \  ntreville. 

(Official.)  John    Withi  R8, 

A.  A.    dm  nil. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORTS  WAL- 
KER AND  BEAUREGARD,  ON  THE  7th  NOVEM- 
BER, 1861,  THOMAS  F.  DRAYTON,  BRIGADIER 
GENERAL  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Provisional  Forces,"] 

3d  Military  District,  Dep't  S.  C,  ^ 

Camp  Lee,  Hardeeville,  ( 

November  24th,  1861.      J 

To  Captain  L.  D.  Walker, 

AmU  AoVt  Gen  I,  Charleston,  S.  C.  : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  of  presenting  my  official  report  of 
the  engagement,  on  the  7th  inst.,  between  the  Federal  fleet. 
numbering  fifteen  war  steamers  and  gun-boats,  and  Forts 
Walker  and  Beauregard,  upon  Hilton  Head  and  Bay  Point. 
at  the  entrance  of  Port  Royal  Sound.  The  fleet  was  com- 
manded by  Captain  S.  F.  Dupont,  Flag  Officer  of  the  South 
Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron,  and  the  troops  on  board  the 
transports  by  Brigadier  General  Sherman. 

The  distance  between  the  forts  is  by  coast  survey  2  5-8 
miles. 

The  enemy's  fleet  had  been  collecting  in  our  waters  sinee 
the  morning  of  the  4th  instant,  and  had  increased  in  the 
afternoon  to  thirty-two  war  steamers  and  transports. 

On  receiving  a  despatch  to  this  effect  from  Colonel  Wil- 
liam C.  Ileyward,  commanding  the  troops  at  Camp  Walker, 
I  left  my  headquarters  in  Beaufort  and  repaired  by  steamer 
to  Bay  Point,  which  I  reached  at  6.  I'.  M..  passing  on  tin- 
way  the  ever-watchful  little  fleet  of  Flag  Officer  Tatnall, 
I confederate  States  Navy. 

After  remaining  in  consultation  until  1.80,  A.  M.,  with 
Colonel  R.  G.  M.  Dunovant,  commandant  of  the  post,  I 
took  my  departure,  leaving  him  such  general  instructions  as 
the  uncertain  mode  and  direction,  from  which  an  attack  might 


88 

bo  expected,  would  permit.  I  then  visited  Commodore  Tat- 
nall,  and  after  an  interchange  of  views,  took  leave,  crossed 
over  to  Hilton  Head  Island,  landed  there  at  day  light  on  the 
5th,  and  immediately  despatched  a  courier  to  Braddock's 
P(  int,  south  end  of  the  Island,  ordering  Captain  Stuart's 
Company,  9th  Regiment,  to  march  on  Fort  Walker  and  em- 
bark thence  to  strengthen  Captain  Elliott's  gunners  in  Fort 
Beauregard.  This  company  did  not  leave  on  the  6th,  as 
proposed,  as  Captain  Sassard,  of  the  steamer  Eclisto,  failed 
to  comply  with  his  orders  to  carry  it  across  early  in  the 
morning.  They  were  dispatched,  however,  by  the  first 
steamer  at  my  disposal  on  the  7th,  and  before  they  had 
reached  half-way  across  the  bay,  they  were  cut  off  from  Bay 
Point  by  the  advancing  fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  obliged  to 
seek  shelter  in  Skull  Creek,  where  Captain  Stuart  disem- 
barked his  whole  command  in  safety. 

On  inspecting  Fort  Walker  shortly  after  my  arrival,  I 
found  twenty  guns,  of  various  calibre,  mounted  upon  ^the 
ramparts,  thirteen  of  which  were  on  the  Channel  Battery,  viz  : 
One  10-inch  columbiad  in  the  center,  flanked  to  the  right 
by  five  32-pounders  and  one  9-inch  Dahlgreen  rifle  cannon, 
and  to  the  left  by  six  other  cannon  in  the  following  order: 
one  32-pounder,  one  8-inch  columbiad,  three  42-pounders 
and  one  rifled  24-pounder. 

North  bastion, 1    32-pounder. 

South       "         1   32-pounder. 

"  *<        1   8-inch  howitzer. 

"  "         1   long  12-pounder. 

South  flank  of  bastion, 1   navy  32-pounder. 

Demilune, 2  24-pounder. 

Redan, 1   navy  8-inch  howitzer. 

Of  these  eight  guns,  one  in  the  north  bastion,  and  two  in 
the  south  flank,  could  occasionally  be  used  against  the  ships 
of  war ;   the  rest  were  for  the  land  defence. 

To  man  the  guns  within  the  fort,  and  for  an  infantry  re- 
serve outside,  we  had,  until  reinforcements  came  from  Sa- 
vannah, on  the  afternoon  of  the  6th,  two  companies  of  Col- 
onel   Wagoner's    1st    Regiment    Artillery    South    Carolina 

Militia,  numbering ...  1 52  men. 

Three  companies  Col.  Hey  ward's  9th  Reg.  S.  C.  V.210     " 
Four  companies   of  Col.    R.  G.  M.    Dunovant's 

12th  Reg.  S.  C.  V.,  under  Major  Jones 260     " 

Total 622     " 


89 

There  were  stationed  on  the  beach  at  Camp  Lookout,  six 
miles  off,  Captain  J.  H.  Screven's  mounted  guerrillas,  num- 
bering sixty-five,  who  acted  as  scouts  and  couriers. 

About  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  5th,  Commodore  Tatnall, 
who  had  boldly  attacked  the  enemy's  gun-boats  on  the  pre- 
vious day,  again  gallantly  steamed  out  to  exchange  shots 
with  them,  but  he  was  met  by  too  large  a  force,  and  therefore, 
retired  slowly  behind  our  forts.  The  enemy  followed  and 
engaged  both  batteries  for  about  forty-five  minutes,  with  no 
other  injury  than  three  men  slightly  burnt,  in  Fort  Beaure- 
gard, from  the  explosion  of  a  caisson  struck  by  a  rifle  shell. 

On  the  6th  instant  the  fleet  and  transports,  which  had  in- 
creased to  about  forty-five  sail,  would  probably  have  attacked 
us,  had  not  the  weather  been  very  boisterous.  In  the  after- 
noon about  4,  P  M.,  avc  received  our  first  reinforcements 
from  Georgia,  four  hundred  and  fifty  infantry,  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Berry,  C.  S.  A.,  and  Captain  Read's  Bat- 
tovj,  of  two  12-pound  howitzers,  and  fifty  men. 

I  have  reason  for  supposing  that  this  assistance  would 
have  arrived  sooner,  for  General  A.  R.  Lawton,  commanding 
Provisional  Forces  in  Georgia,  wrote  from  Savannah  to  Col- 
onel W.  C.  Heyward  on  the  4th  instant,  S.30,  P.  M.,  as 
follows:  "From  a  despatch  received  to-day  from  General 
Ripley,  I  infer  that  you  (Colonel  W.  C.  Heyward)  have  been 
sufficiently  reinforced  from  his  command,  until  the  plans  of 
the  enemy  shall  be  more  fully  developed." 

Two  hours  after  the  gallant  Georgians  came  to  the  rescue, 
I  received  the  welcome  intelligence  that  Col.  DcSaussure's 
15th  Regiment  South  Carolina  Volunteers,  six  hundred  and 
fifty  strong,  had  landed  at  Seabrook's  Wharf,  upon  Skull 
('reck,  and  were  close  at  hand. 

At  last  the  memorable  7th  dawned  upon  us,  bright  and 
serene;  not  a  ripple  upon  the  broad  expanse  of  water,  to 
disturb  the  accuracy  of  fire  from  the  broad  decks  of  that 
magnificent  armada,  about  advancing  in  battle  array,  to 
vomit  forth  its  iron  hail,  with  all  the  spiteful  energy  of  long- 
Bnppressed  rage  and  conscious  strength.  At  il.J.")  A.  M., 
one  9-inch  Dahlgreen  gun  opened  fire  apon  the  Bixty-gnn 
mship  Wabusli.  flag-ship  of  Captain  S.  F.  Dapont,  which 
led  the  van.  closely  succeeded  by  fourteen  other  large 
mera  and  gun-boats. 

The  shell  from  the  Dahlgreen  exploded  near  the  muzzle, 
and  was  harmless.     Other   -hots  followed  from  both  forts, 

and    soon  the   fire   became  general    on  land   and   water.      In 


90 

spite  of  our  fire,  directed  with  deliberation  and  coolness,  the 
fleet  soon  passed  both  batteries,  apparently  unharmed,  and 
then  returning,  delivered  in  their  changing  rounds,  a  terri- 
fic shower  of  shot  and  shell  in  flank  and  front. 

Besides  this  moving  battery,  the  fort  was  enfiladed  by 
two  gun-boats,  anchored  to  the  north,  off  the  mouth  of  Fish 
Hall  creek,  (F  H)  on  sketch,  and  another  at  a  point  (C)  on 
the  edge  of  the  shoal  to  the  south.  This  enfilading  fire  on 
so  still  a  sea,  annoyed  and  damaged  us  excessively,  particu- 
larly as  we  had  no  gun  on  either  flank  of  the  bastion  to 
reply  with ;  for  the  32-pounder  on  the  right  flank  was  shat- 
tered very  early  by  a  round  shot ;  and  in  the  north  flank, 
for  want  of  a  carriage,  no  gun  had  been  mounted.  After 
the  fourth  fire,  the  10-inch  columbiad  bounded  over  the  hur- 
ters,  and  became  useless.  The  24-pounder  rifled  cannon  was 
choked  while  ramming  down  a  shell,  and  lay  idle  during 
nearly  the  whole  engagement. 

The  shells  for  the  9-inch  Dahlgreen  were  also  too  large  ; 
the  fourth  shell  attempted  to  be  rammed  home  could  not  be 
driven  below  the  trunnions,  and  was  then,  at  great  risk, 
discharged. 

Thus  far,  the  fire  of  the  enemy  had  been  endured  and 
replied  to  with  the  unruffled  courage  of  veterans.  At  10.30 
our  gunners  became  so  fatigued  that  I  left  the  fort,  accom- 
panied by  one  of  my  Volunteer  Aids,  Captain  H.  Rose,  and 
went  back  to  Captain  Read's  Battery,  (one  and  three-quarter 
miles  in  the  rear  of  the  fort,)  and  brought  the  greater  part 
of  his  men  back,  to  take  the  places  of  our  exhausted  men 
inside  the  fort. 

It  was  while  thus  engaged  with  Captain  Read's  company, 
that  Col.  W.  H.  Stiles  rode  up  and  reported  his  regiment, 
about  two  miles  off.  I  instantly  directed  my  Aid,  Lieut. 
Drayton,  to  accompany  Col.  Stiles  to  the  road  along  which 
his  regiment  was  advancing,  and  to  station  it  in  position  by 
the  side  of  the  other  Georgia  troops.  On  entering  the  fort 
with  Capt.  Read's  company,  they  were  cordially  greeted  by 
both  officers  and  men. 

The  vigorous  attack  from  the  fleet  continued  unabated? 
with  still  no  decided  damage  to  any  of  their  ships.  About 
12.30,  P.  M.,  I  again  went  out  of  the  fort,  with  my  Assist- 
ant Adjutant  General,  Captain  Young,  for  the  purpose  of 
mustering  together  the  infantry  and  reserves,  and  have  them 
in  readiness  for  any  eventuality.     Before  leaving,  however, 


91 

I  turned  over  the  command  to  Col.  Hcyward,  with  directions 
to  hold  out  as  long  as  any  effective  fire  could  be  returned. 

Having  mounted  our  horses,  Ave  rejoined  the  troops  near 
Hospital  No.  2.  I  received  information,  through  one  of  the 
videttes,  that  a  steamer  and  small  boats  were  sounding  close 
to  the  beach;  I  detached  Capt.  Berry,  with  three  companies 
of  his  battalion,  under  the  guidance  of  Capt.  Ephraim  Bar- 
nard, Volunteer  Aid,  by  a  road  marked  K,  to  watch  the 
enemy,  beat  them  back  if  they  attempted  to  land,  and  give 
notice  if  he  wanted  support.  I  then,  with  some  of  my  staff, 
rode  to  collect  together  the  other  troops,  who,  through  igno- 
rance of  our  Island  roads,  had  lost  their  way  and  had  not 
yet  come  up. 

On  the  road  marked  D,  leading  to  wharf  on  Skull  creek, 
about  one-and-one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  Fort  Walker,  I  unex- 
pectedly met  Gen.  Ripley  and  staff.  Saluting  him,  I  enquired 
if  he  visited  the  Island  to  assume  command,  and  whether  he 
wished  to  go  back  with  me  into  the  fort  ?  He  said  no,  but 
that  he  would  return  to  Coosawhatchie  to  collect  and  bring 
back  two  or  three  regiments  to  my  support.  We  then  moved 
from  under  the  fire  of  the  ships  to  the  shelter  of  some  myr- 
tles, where  we  could  not  be  seen. 

I  then  stated  to  him  the  incidents  of  the  morning;  how 
the  men  had  fought ;  that  the  day  was  going  against  us ; 
and  that  I  was  then  collecting  my  forces  for  any  emergency 
that  might  arise,  and  if  compelled  to  defend  the  Island,  it 
should  be  retained  to  the  last  extremity.  We  then  parted, 
he  taking  the  road  towards  the  ferry,  and  I  in  pursuit  of  the 
purposes  which  brought  me  out  of  the  fort. 

On  reaching  my  reserves,  at  Hospital  No.  2,  I  learned 
that  the  enemy  had  ceased  making  soundings,  and  had  gone 
back  to  sea;  whereupon,  I  dispatched  Capt.  Read  to  order 
Capt.  Berry  to  return  from  the  beach. 

Two  o'clock  had  now  arrived,  when  I  noticed  our  men 
coming  out  of  the  fort,  which  they  had  bravely  defended  for 
four-and-a-half  hours,  against  fearful  odds,  and  then  only 
retiring  when  all  but  three  of  the  guns  in  the  water  front 
had  been  disabled,  and  only  five  hundred  pounds  of  powder 
in  tlir  magazine — commencing  the  action  with  two  hundred 
and  twenty  men  inside  tin-  fort,  afterwards  increased  to  two 
hundred  and  fifty-five,  by  the  accession  from  Read's  Battery. 
These  heroic  men  retired  slowly  ami  sadly  from  their  well- 
served  guns,  which,   to    have  defended  longer,    would  have 


92 

exhibited  the  energy  of  despair,  rather  than  the  manly  pluck 
of  the  true  soldier. 

The  defence  of  this  post,  involved  a  two-fold  preparation: 

First,  to  repel  the  attack  from  the  fleet ;  and  second,  an 
assault  by  the  beach  from  the  troops  upon  the  transports. 

By  the  beach  we  had  to  provide  against  an  attack  from  the 
north,  under  cover  of  the  Bluff  south  of  Fish  Hall  Creek, 
(marked  on  map  F.  H.;)  and  from  the  south,  (S,)  by  the  beach 
under  cover  of  the  woods  between  (J  and  S)  where  a  picket  of 
twenty-five  men  were  posted  under  Capt  Paul  H.  Seabrook; 
and  lastly,  by  the  Road  marked  (K)  leading  from  the  beach 
to  the  Second  Hospital.  To  guard  against  surprise,  either  by 
Fish  Hall  Creek,  or  by  the  beach,  at  (J  and  S)  when  I  was 
returning  to  the  Fort,  with  a  portion  of  Capt.  Read's  compa- 
ny, I,  at  the  same  time,  lead  up  Col.  DeSaussure's  Regiment 
to  the  hollow  (marked  P)  west  of  the  road,  and  directed 
them  to  lie  down.  They  were  perfectly  masked  from  the  fire 
of  the  Fort,  but  not  from  that  of  the  fleet,  for  the  watchmen 
at  the  mast-heads  gave  notice  of  their  position,  compelling 
Col.  DeSaussure,  after  a  short  time,  to  fall  back,  under  a 
heavy  fire,  to  a  less  dangerous  locality. 

Had  the  entrenched  camp,  with  store-houses  and  maga- 
zines, been  made  in  time,  several  lives  and  large  quantities 
of  public  property  might  have  been  saved.  But  it  was  im- 
possible to  have  made  this  within  the  short  time  and  with  the 
diminutive  force  at  my  disposal,  for  on  my  arrival  at  head- 
quarters in  Beaufort,  on  the  night  of  the  17th  of  October,  the 
number  of  troops  at  Camp  Walker  were  but  three  hundred 
and  sixty-two,  afterwards  increased  on  the  24th  to  six  hun- 
dred and  twenty-two,  by  the  accession  of  four  companies 
under  Major  Jones,  of  12th  Regiment  South  Carolina  Volun- 
teers. To  this,  may  be  added,  the  Engineer  force  of  some 
sixty  men,  who,  with  the  soldiers,  worked  incessantly  day  and 
night.  As  an  evidence  of  what  they  accomplished  :  the  eight- 
inch  columbiad,  on  the  water  front,  was  only  mounted  on  the 
first  of  November;  one  eight-inch  howitzer,  in  the  salient  of 
the  south  bastion,  mounted  on  the  4th;  one  thirty-two  poun- 
der on  the  right  flank  of  the  bastion,  mounted  on  the  5th  ;  one 
eight-inch  howitzer,  mounted  on  a  ship  carriage  ;  embrasure 
cut  through  parapet  of  demilune,  on  the  night  of  the  5th  ; 
covered  way  and  hot  shot  furnace  for  forty-two  pounders, 
constructed  of  earth  and  dry  masonry,  on  the  morning  of  the 
6th — together  with  wads  of  moss  and  hay  for  same,  splinter- 
proof,  occupying  only  one-half  terreplein  behind  the  principal 


93 

traverse — was  finished  on  the  morning  of  the  engagement, 
(7th  instant),  the  material  not  having  arrived  before  the  4th 
instant. 

The  retreat  was  commenced  about  three,  P.  M.,  towards 
Ferry  Point,  about  six  miles  off,  Col.  DeSaussure's  Regiment, 
and  Capt.  J.  Read's  company  of  Artillery  bringing  up  the 
rear.  At  1.30,  A.  M.,  by  the  aid  of  Commodore  Tatnall's 
fleet,  the  steamers  St.  John's  and  Edisto  and  three  large 
flats,  capable  of  holding  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  each, 
the  troops  were  all  safely  embarked,  without  provisions ;  no 
ammunition  but  what  was  contained  in  the  cartridge  boxes, 
(the  100,000  cartridges  I  had  made  requisition  for,  and  been 
anxiously  expecting,  not  having  reached  us  till  after  the  bat- 
tle). Fearing  that  our  retreat  would  be  cut  off  by  the  en- 
emy's gun-boats  at  Skull  creek,  no  other  alternative  was 
left,  but  to  leave  the  Island  and  concentrate  upon  the  main- 
land, where  we  would  be  enabled  to  fight  the  enemy  on  more 
equal  terms,  should  he  venture  beyond  the  protection  of  his 
fleet  and  attack  us  there. 

The  muskets  captured  by  the  enemy,  with  the  exception 
of  some  ten  or  fifteen,  were  those  left  in  the  Fort,. shattered 
by  shot  and  shell — others  left  in  camp,  belonging  to  men  on 
sick  leave,  or  to  those  engaged  in  heating  hot  shot  furnaces, 
two  days  before  the  fight — and  some  boxes  of  arms  which  had 
been  left  on  the  wharf  the  night  before  the  battle,  belonging 
to  the  sick  men  of  Col.  DeSaussure's  Regiment,  who  had 
been  left  behind  at  Lightwood  Knot.  These  could  have  been 
saved,  with  a  box  of  swords,  if  the  captain  of  the  steamers 
Edisto  and  St.  Johns  had  not  refused  to  take  them  on  board, 
when  directed  to  do  so. 

To  Capt.  Tatnall,  Flag-Officer  C.  S  N.,  and  the  officers 
and  men  of  his  little  fleet,  I  cannot  too  highly  express  my 
admiration  of  their  intrepidity  and  hardihood,  in  attacking 
the  enemy's  gun  boats,  on  the  4th  and  5th  instants.  These 
encounters,  by  interrupting  their  soundings  and  the  location 
of  their  buoys,  no  doubt  prevented  our  being  attacked  on 
Tuesday,  tlie  &th  instant .  before  our  reinforcements  reached  us. 
I  must  also  acknowledge  the  assistance  extended  to  us  by 
the  gallant  Commodore,  with  his  boats,  on  the  night  of  our 
retreat  from  the  Island. 

FORT     BEAUREGARD. 

The  attack  upon  this  Fort,  though  not  so  concentrated 
and  heavy  as  that  upon  Walker,  was  nevertheless  very  severe. 


94 

Its  armament  (see  accompanying  sketch)  was  nineteen  guns, 
of  which  the  following,  viz. : 

One  8  inch  Rodman,  bored  to  24  pounder,  and  rifled, 

Two  42  pounders, 

One  10  inch  columbiad, 

Two  42  pounders,  reamed  to  8  inches,  and 

One  32  pounder,  in  hot  shot  battery, 
Were  the  only  guns  capable  of  being  used  against  the  fleet. 

The  force  on  Bay  Point  was  six  hundred  and  forty  men, 
commanded  by  Col.  R.  G.  M.  Dunovant,  12th  Regiment  S. 
C.  Volunteers.  Of  the  above,  one  hundred  and  forty-nine 
garrisoned  Fort  Beauregard,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Captain  Stephen  Elliott,  Jr.,  Beaufort  Volunteer  Artil- 
lery Company  A,  9th  Regiment  S.  C.  Volunteers.  The  in- 
fantry force  of  Col.  Dunovant's  Regiment  was  entrusted  with 
the  protection  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  Island,  and  of  the 
defence  of  the  Bastion  line  at  the  Island  Narrows,  where  an 
attack  was  expected  from  the  enemy. 

Knowing  how  small  a  force  Captain  Elliott  had  to  com- 
mand his  batteries,  I  ordered,  as  soon  as  I  reached  Hilton 
Head  on  the  5th  in  St.,  Captain  Stuart's  Company,  (Hamilton 
Guards),  9th  Regiment  S.  C.  Volunteers,  to  march  upon 
Fort  Walker,  from  Braddock's  Point,  and  take  thence  the 
steamer  Edisto  for  Bay  Point;  but  the  failure  of  Captain 
Sassard,  of  the  Edisto,  to  fulfill  his  appointment  at  the  hour 
designated,  prevented  me  from  supporting  Captain  Elliott  as 
I  desired.  But  on  Thursday  morning,  7th  inst.,  having  ob- 
tained the  steamer  Emma,  I  despatched  Captain  Stuart's 
company  in  her  to  Fort  Beauregard.  The  rapid  advance  of 
the  enemy's  fleet,  however,  to  the  attack  on  the  batteries, 
cut  off  and  compelled  her,  at  the  risk  of  being  intercepted, 
to  turn  bick  and  seek  shelter  in  Skull  Creek,  on  the  shores 
of  which  Captain  Stuart's  company  safely  disembarked  and 
joined  me  in  the  afternoon;  and  here  again  was  exhibited 
another  act  of  heroism,  on  the  part  of  our  veteran  Commo- 
dore, who,  to  save  the  Emma,  interposed  his  own  frail  flag 
steamer  between  her  and  the  advancing  flag  ship  of  Commo- 
dore Dupont,  drawing  upon  himself  her  entire  broadside, 
and  thus  diverting  this  huge  leviathan  temporarily  from  her 
course,  secured  the  safety  of  the  Emma  at  the  peril  of  his 
own  vessel. 

The  non-arrival  of  any  reinforcements  at  Camp  Walker, 
until  the  night  of  the  6th  instant,  also  prevented  me  from 
sending  the  four  companies  of  the  12th  Regiment  S.  C.  Vol- 


95 

unteers,  under  Major  Jones,  to  the  support  of  the  other  six 
companies  of  the  regiment  at  Bay  Point. 

For  the  details  of  the  engagement  at  this  post,  the  nota- 
ble examples  of  bravery,  the  general  good  conduct,  their 
well-timed  retreat,  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the  dotted 
red  lines  on  the  map  appended,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to 
the  official  reports  of  Colonel  Dunovant  and  Captain  Elliott. 
But  among  the  many  officers  and  men  honorably  noticed  on 
this  occasion,  in  the  official  report  of  Colonel  Dunovant, 
none  of  them  are  so  justly  entitled  to  well-merited  enco- 
miums as  Captain  Stephen  Elliott,  the  commander  of  the 
Fort.  Others  may  have  exhibited  na  equal  amount  of  cool 
bravery,  in  front  of  the  foe,  but  his  opportunities  enabled 
him  to  surpass  all  his  brother  officers  in  the  skillful  arrange- 
ment of  his  defences,  superb  condition  of  his  batteries,  and 
in  the  high  discipline  which  he  had  imparted  to  his  model 
company,  the  creation  of  his  own  indefatigable  exertions. 

The  delays  and  dangers  incident  to  the  manner  in  which 
troops  and  supplies  of  all  kinds  were  landed  at  the  forts  of 
Port  Royal,  and  the  absence  of  all  means  of  retreat,  in  case 
of  disaster,  had  attracted  my  most  serious  attention  imme- 
diately after  I  assumed  command  at  Beaufort.  On  the 
evening  of  the  17th  ult.,  I  immediately  took  steps  for  reme- 
dying the  first  and  providing  for  the  last. 

With  the  double  object  of  landing  supplies  in  all  weather 
at  Bay  Point,  and  at  the  same  time  of  furnishing  the  means 
of  retreat  beyond  the  range  of  the  enemy's  guns,  I  directed 
one  of  my  Volunteer  Aids,  Capt.  T.  R.  S.  Elliott,  to  make  an 
examination  of  the  adjacent  creeks  to  the  north  of  the  Fort. 
He  reported  that  about  three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Moss 
Creek  there  was  a  dep'h  of  water  sufficient  for  steamers 
drawing  seven  feet,  at  low  water;  and  that  from  thence  a 
causeway  of  three  hundred  yards  over  the  marsh  might  easily 
be  made,  and  furnish  a  sure  means  of  transportation,  and 
thus  avoid  the  losses  and  delays  which  had  previously  oc- 
curred in  landing  from  the  steamers,  into  flats,  upon  the 
beaeb. 

From  the  point  above  indicated,  in  Moss  Creek,  flats  were 
to  have  been  provided  and  stationed,  to  convey  the  soldiers, 
in  ease  of  emergency,  across  the  creek ;  thence  by  land  to 
Station  Greek,  where  other  flats  were  to  be  placed,  for  the 
same  object  as  at  Moss  Creek;  landing  at  St.  Helena  the 
transit  to  White  Hall  Ferry,  opposite  Beaufort,  was  com- 
paratively safe. 


96 

On  Hilton  Head  I  also  commenced  repairing  the  wharf  at 
Seabrook's  landing,  on  Skull  Creek,  with  a  view  of  trans- 
porting stores  to  Fort  Walker,  when  the  weather  was  too 
boisterous  to  land  them  in  the  surf.  The  completion  of  the 
wharf  was  prevented,  however,  by  the  unexpected  attack  of 
the  enemy.  Though  in  its  incomplete  state,  it  had  already 
been  put  to  successful  use. 

I  succeeded,  however,  in  obtaining  from  Charleston  two 
flats  and  two  troop  boats,  and  from  Savannah  three  large 
flats,  capable  of  containing  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  each, 
which  reached  Jenkins  Island  Ferry  in  time  to  assist  in  em- 
barking our  troops  on  the  night  of  the  retreat.  Three 
other  smaller  ones  were  sent  at  the  same  time  to  "White 
Hall  Ferry,"  which  assisted  in  performing  the  same  good 
offices  for  Colonel  Dunovant's  command.  The  rest  of  the 
scheme,  for  want  of  time  and  flats,  could  not  be  carried  out 
in  the  manner  I  intended. 

For  the  purpose  of  sending  messages  between  Forts 
Walker  and  Beauregard,  and  thence  to  my  headquarters 
at  Beaufort,  I  had  prepared,  by  the  assistance  of  Captain 
Lynch,  another  of  my  aids,  a  number  of  signal  flags,  the 
designs  of  which  had  already  been  prepared  and  painted,  and 
only  needed  a  few  more  days  to  have  been  put  into  opera- 
tion. 

In  alluding,  as  I  have,  to  these  matters,  I  do  not  mean  to 
reflect  upon  any  person,  as  to  say  these  pressing  wants 
could  have  been  supplied  anterior  to  the  period  when  I  en- 
tered upon  my  new  duties.  My  design  has  been  to  exhibit 
the  condition  in  which  I  found  my  command,  and  to  show 
that  I  have  left  no  effort  untried  to  improve  it. 

Notwithstanding  the  prompt  measures,  adopted  by  Col. 
Dunovant,  to  effect  his  retreat  in  the  direction  of  the  nar- 
rows, it  is  surprising  that,  with  the  knowledge  possessed  by 
the  enemy,  (through  Mr.  Boutelle  and  others  connected  with 
the  coast  survey,)  that  his  retreat  had  not  been  intercepted 
by  gun  boats  passing  up  towards  Beaufort,  and  mine  by 
other  steamers  taking  the  passage  through  Skull  Creek,  to- 
wards the  ferry  landings.  Why  they  did  not  adopt  this 
course,  must  be  left  to  time  to  explain. 


97 

CASUALTIES. 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  killed,  wounded,  missing 
and  taken  prisoners : 

Killed  in  Fort  Walker 10 

Wounded  in  Fort   Walker 20 

Killed  in  Colonel  DeSaussure's  loth  Regiment  South 

Carolina  Volunteers 1 

Wounded   severely 15 

Wounded  in  Fort  Beauregard 13 

Total   killed  and  wounded 59 

Missing 4 

Taken  prisoners,  sick  in  hospital 3 

Total  killed,  wounded,  missing  and  taken  prisoners. 66 

The  heads  of  the  Quartermaster's  and   Commissary's  De- 
partments. Major  E.  Willis  and   Captain  C.  1).  Owens,  have 
discharged  their  several  duties   with  economy  and  fidelity. 
The  reports   hereunto  appended,  of  these  officers  and  their 
assistants,  show  how  unwearied  and  earnest  were  their  eiforts 
to  save  the  public  property  left  at  the  headquarters  in  Beau- 
fort.     I  must  likewise,  make  honorable  mention  of  Colonel 
Wm.  C.  Heyward,  Ninth   Regiment  South  Carolina  Volun- 
teers, who  commanded  in  Fort  Walker  and  its  vicinity,  and 
who,  during  the  battle*  made  the  best  use  of  the  means  at  his 
disposal.  <  'olonel  John  A.  Wagoner,  First  Regiment  Artillery 
South    Carolina    Militia,    supported  lj|f   Major    Arthur   M.. 
Huger,  of  the  same  regiment,  was  placed  in  the  immediate: 
command  of  all  the  batteries,  nine  of  which,  upon  tbe  water' 
front,   weir   manned  by   the    German    Artillery    companies 
A  and  15.  Captains  Harms  and  Werner,  First  Regiment  Ar- 
tillery, South    Carolina    Militia,  all  of  whom    fought,    under 
the  Hag  of  their  adopted  country,  with  an  enthusiasm  which 
could  not  have  been   surpassed,  had  they  been   lighting  in 
defence  of  their  own  fatherland. 

The  remaining  four  batteries,  on  the  left  flank  of  the  water 
from,  were  under  the  direction  of  Copt.  Josiah  Bedon,  Ninth 
Regiment  South  Carolina  Volunteers;  and  the  Banking  Mini 

rear  lmuis  of  the  fort,  were  manned  by  detaehmeii ts  from  ( !ap- 

tains  Bedon's,  Cannady  a  and  White  s  companies,  Ninth  l»e- 
gimenl  South  Carolina  Volunteers.  Major  F.  I>.  Lei-.  South' 
Carolina    Engineers,   and   constructing   Engineer  of    Forf 

7 


98 

Walker,  not  only  fought  gallantly  at  the  batteries,  but 
afforded  valuable  assistance  at  other  points  in  the  work  dur- 
ing the  contest. 

Captain  Joseph  A.  Yates,  battalion  South  Caaolina  Artil- 
lery, and  Acting  Ordnance  Officer, -was  zealous  in  the  execu- 
tion of  all  the  duties  assigned  to  him.  Towards  the  close  of 
the  fight  he  was  severely  wounded,  but  has  since  recovered, 
and  is  again  ready,  in  another  field,  to  resist  all  marauders 
that  approach  our  shores. 

Dr.  Ogeer  and  his  able  assistants,  Drs.  W.  C.  Ravenel 
and  William  Elliott,  a  volunteer  from  Savannah,  Georgia, 
were  present  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  hospitals. 
I  cannot  but  regret  the  painful  wound,  which  has  been  the 
cause  of  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Ogeer,  as  Medical  Director 
in  my  medical  district. 

In  conclusion,  I  cannot  but  express  my  high  appreciation 
of  the  gallant  behavior  of  my  aids,  Captain  Henry  E. 
Young  and  Lieutenant  J.  E.  Drayton,  as  also  that  of  the 
gentlemen  composing  my  volunteer  staff,  Captains  L.  Cheves, 
H.  Rose,  E.  Lynch,  J.  E.  Eddings,  J.  J.  Middleton,  Jr., 
and  Joseph  M.  Huger. 

The  names* of  the  officers  and  men,  not  mentioned  in  my 
report,  will  be  found  deservedly  mentioned  in  the  official 
reports  of  the  colonels  of  regiments,  commandants  of  batte- 
ries, and  chiefs  of  the  general  staff. 
J  .have  the  honor  to  be, 

Jlespectfully,  yours, 

(Signed.)  THOS.  F.  DRAYTON, 

*         Brigadier  General,  commanding. 

(Official.)  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  General. 


Headquarters  Department  South  Carolina,  ) 
Charleston,  Nov.  29,  1861.      } 

It  might  be  proper  to  remark,  upon  the  within  report, 
there  are  some  probably  inadvertant  inaccuracies — or  to  give 
a  report  of  movements  ordered  from  these  headquarters,  and 
instructions  given  after  news  was  received  that  the  enemy's 


99 

fleet  was  intended  for  Port  Royal — and  how  they  were  car- 
ried out  and  followed.  I  deem,  however,  that  no  good  would 
result  to  the  service  from  a  discussion  of  these  points  at  this 
time,  and  requesting  that  should  it  be  thought  proper  to 
publish  this  report,  it  should  be  published  with  this  endorse- 
ment. 

It  is  respectfully  forwarded, 
(Signed.)  R.  S.  RIPLEY, 

Brigadier  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  R.  G.  M.  DUNOVANT,  TWELFTH 
REGIMENT  SOUTH  CAROLINA  VOLUNTEERS, 


Headquarters   12th  Reg't  S.  C.  "V.,  > 
Camp  Lee,  Pocotaligo,  Nov.  16th,  1861.      $ 

Capt.  H.  E.  Young, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General.: 

Sir:  On  the  26th  of  October  last.  I  assumed  command  cf 
the  forces  stationed  on  Bay  Point  Island,  consisting  of  three 
companies  of  the  9th  Regiment,  to  wit:  The  Beaufort  Artil- 
lery, Capt.  Stephen  Elliott;  Colleton  Rifles,  Capt.  Ander- 
son, and  Capt.  Harrison's  company  of  Infantry  ;  six  compa- 
nies of  the  1 2th  Regiment  South  Carolina  Volunteers,  to 
wit :  company  A,  Capt.  McCorkle  ;  company  C,  Capt.  Davis ; 
company  D,  Capt.  Booktus ;  company  E,  Capt.  Hinson : 
company  F,  Capt.  McMakin,  and  company  I,  Capt.  Valland- 
ingham,  and  a  small  detachment  of  Capt.  Screven's  Beaufort 
Guerrillas,  under  Lieut.  Youmans.  My  staff  consisted  ot 
Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Talley,  Adjutant;  Dr.  E.  B.  Turnipseed, 
Surgeon;  Capt.  T.  J.  Bell,  Quartermaster;  Capt.  E.  A, 
Rabb,  Commissary ;  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts,  Chaplain,  and  Mr. 
Robert  Chisholm,  Volunteer  on  Staff.  The  entire  force  on 
the  Island,  inclusive  of  field,  staff  and  company  officers,  was 
six  hundred  and  nineteen.  Lieut.  Colonel  Barnes,  of  the 
12th  Regiment,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  six  companies 
of  that  Regiment,  and  Capt.  Anderson's  company,  then  at 
the  Narrows. 

Capt.  Elliott  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  work 
known  as  Fort  Beauregard,  with  his  own  company  and  Capt. 
Harrison's. 

The  detachment  of  Capt.  Screven's  company  was  ordered 
to  report  directly  to  me. 


102 

Monday,  the  4th  instant,  the  enemy's  fleet  made  its  ap- 
pearance early  in  the  morning,  and  crossing  the  bar,  came 
to  anchor  to  the  south  of,  and  opposite  the  Island,  but  made 
no  further  demonstration  of  an  attack  on  our  position  dur- 
ing that  day. 

In  the  afternoon  Com.  Tatnall,  with  three  small  steamers, 
attacked  the  nearest  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  and  after  sus- 
taining a  heavy  fire,  and  replying  most  gallantly,  retired 
slowly  up  the  river. 

Tuesdays  morning,  in  view  of  the  uncertainty  of  the  point 
and  mode  of  attack,  the  following  disposition  was  made  of 
the  companies  of  the  1 2th  Regiment :  companies  A  and  D 
were  posted  in  rear  of  a  range  of  sand-hills,  distant  about 
two  hundred  yards  from  Fort  Beauregard,  for  the  purpose 
of  protecting  that  work,  in  case  of  an  attempt  of  the  enemy 
to  land.  Companies  C  and  E  took  position  near  Capt.  An- 
derson's company,  at  the  Narrows,  and  companies  F  and  I 
were  held  at  the  camp  of  the  regiment,  being  about  equi- 
distant between  these  detachments,  so  as  to  support  either. 

Between  seven  and  eight  o'clock,  Com.  Tatnall's  steamers 
again  advanced  and  engaged  the  enemy,  who  met  the  attack 
in  such  numbers,  and  with  such  weight  of  metal,  that  the 
little  steamers  were  compelled  again  to  retreat  above  the 
forts.  The  enemy  followed,  firing  upon  the  steamers  till 
within  range  of  our  guns,  when  Fort  Beauregard  joined  in 
the  conflict,  and  drew  a  heavy  fire  of  shot  and  shell,  princi- 
pally the  latter,  upon  that  work  and  the  other  portions  of 
the  Island  occupied  by  our  troops.  This  engagement  lasted 
nearly  two  hours,  when  the  enemy's  fleet  withdrew  and  as- 
sumed very  nearly  its  former  position,  opposite  our  Island, 
which  it  retained  for  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

The  only  casualties  on  our  part  were  those  stated  in  Capt. 
Elliott's  report,  herewith  transmitted,  as  resulting  from  the 
explosion  of  a  caisson. 

The  unfavorable  state  of  the  weather  prevented  any  fur- 
ther action  of  the  enemy  on  Wednesday.  Thursday  morn- 
ing, however,  the  wind  lulled  and  the  water  was  unusually 
smooth;  of  this  the  enemy  availed  himself,  and  at  8.30,  A. 
M.,  the  fleet  of  war  vessels,  headed  by  what  is  supposed  to 
have  been  the  Minnesota,  bore  towards  the  northwest,  till 
reaching  the  main  channel,  they  moved  directly  towards  our 
batteries.  As- soon  as  they  came  within  range,  Fort  Beau- 
regard opened  upon  the  vessel  in  advance,  which,  being 
seconded  by  Fort  Walker,  and  replied  to  by  the  enemy,  the 


103 

action  became  general.  About  the  time  of  the  first  move- 
ment of  the  fleet,  it  having  been  reported  to  me  that  barges 
filled  with  troops  were  leaving  the  transports,  which  still 
occupied  their  position  opposite  the  camp,  in  anticipation  of 
an  attempt  to  effect  a  landing  in  that  vicinity,  I  ordered 
companies  C  and  E,  which  had  been  withdrawn  on  Wednes- 
day, back  to  a  point  near  the  earth-work  at  the  Narrows, 
retaining  at  the  camp  the  four  remaining  companies  of  the 
12th  Regiment.  After,  however,  having  made  a  careful  per- 
sonal observation  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  in 
view  of  their  steady  advance  and  heavy  fire  upon  the  west- 
ern end  of  the  Island,  I  changed  the  arrangement  of  the 
force,  throwing  the  four  companies  at  the  camp  in  the  rear 
of  the  sand-hills  before  referred  to,  near  Fort  Beauregard, 
and  withdrew,  within  supporting  distance,  the  two  companies 
of  the  12th,  at  the  Narrows.  Thus  the  troops  remained  for 
several  hours,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  shot  and  shell,  during 
which  they  exhibited  great  coolness  and  promptness  in  obe- 
dience to  orders.  Notwithstanding  the  protection  afforded 
by  the  sand-hills,  many  shot  and  shell  fell  around  them,  but 
fortunately,  without  inflicting  injury  of  any  kind.  The 
batteries  at  Fort  Beauregard  were  worked  with  great  gal- 
lantry, skill  and  energy,  and  the  highest  praise  is  due  to 
Capt.  Elliott  and  his  command,  for  the  manner  in  which 
they  discharged  their  important  trust.  About  2,  P.  M.,  the 
fire  of  the  enemy  upom  our  batteries  was  slackened,  and  re- 
doubled against  Hilton  Head.  A  little  after  3  o'clock  it  was 
reported  to  me,  by  Adjutant  Talley,  that  a  boat  was  leaving 
one  of  the  fleet  for  the  shore  of  Hilton  Head,  amid  loud 
cheers  from  the  former,  and  that  Fort  Walker  was  silent. 
I  at  once  proceeded  to  Fort  Beauregard,  and,  after  the  col- 
loquies accurately  detailed  by  Capt.  Elliott  in  his  report, 
ordered  him  to  make  arrangements  for  retreat  from  the  fort 
towards  the  Narrows. 

I  then  returned  and  issued  the  necessary  orders  for  the 
evacuation  of  the  Island.  The  only  line  of  retreat  lay 
across  the  strip  of  land  known  as  the  "  Narrows,"  scarce 
fifty  yards  wide  ami  one  thousand  long,  to  the  main  body 
of  Eddings'a  [aland,  which  is  itself  but  an  extensive 
swamp,  entirely  unpenetrable,  save  by  a  trail,  known  to  few, 
and  of  such  extreme  difficulty  as  to  preclude  the  possi- 
bility of  transporting  baggage,  of  any  kind,  beyond  wbat 
could  be  borne  on  the  Bhouldera  of  the  men.  Of  the  char- 
acter of  the    route  and   the  consequent  impracticability  of 


104 

transportation,  I  had  been  fully  advised,  and,  therefore,  did 
not  undertake  the  removal  of  camp  equipage,  stores  or 
heavy  baggage ;  nor  did  I  think  it  prudent  to  destroy  such 
property  by  fire,  inasmuch  as  the  retreat  was,  at  best,  of 
doubtful  feasibility,  and  the  nature  of  the  movement  would 
have  been  thereby  revealed  to  the  enemy,  and  its  success 
still  further  jeoparded,  if  not  entirely  frustrated.  I  believe 
■that  in  consequence  of  the  manner  in  which  the  evacuation 
of  the  Island  was  effected,  it  was  unknown  to  the  enemy 
until  it  had  been  fully  accomplished,  and  this  conviction  is 
strengthened  by  their  failure  to  take  advantage  of  the  en- 
tire command  of  Station  Creek  and  Beaufort  River,  to  cut 
off  the  retreat  at  Jenkins's  Landing,  and  especially  at  White- 
hall Ferry. 

The  body  of  the  command  reached  the  landing  at  Station 
Creek  and  crossed  to  Dr.  Jenkins's  plantation,  during  the 
night,  and  after  resting  a  short  time  at  the  latter  place,  re- 
sumed the  march  for  Beaufort,  where  it  arrived  early  Friday 
morning.  The  town  was  deserted  by  the  white  population, 
and  no  representative  of  the  quartermaster's  or  commissary's 
departments,  or  other  person  in  authority,  could  be  found,  I 
was,  therefore,  under  the  necessity  of  assuming  the  responsi- 
bility of  taking,  for  the  use  of  the  troops,  such  provisions 
and  necessaries  as  their  condition  imperatively  demanded,  and 
had  I  known  the  amount  and  nature  of  the  stores,  might 
have  saved  much  public  property,  which  has  probably  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I  proceeded  with  the  com- 
mand to  Port  Royal  Ferry,  and  thence  to  this  place,  regard- 
ing the  latter  as  an  important  point  of  defence,  and  at  the 
same  time  one  from  which  I  could  readily  open  communica- 
tion to  procure  the  necessary  supplies  for  my  command.  In 
consequence  of  the  intricacy  and  difficulty  of  the  line  of  re- 
treat, some  officers  and  men,  detained  by  their  duties,  lost 
their  way,  but  all  these  have  since  rejoined  their  respective 
companies.  There  is  but  one  man  whom  I  am  under  the 
necessity  of  reporting  as  missing ;  as  to  the  particulars  of 
this  case,  I  refer  you  to  the  accompanying  report  of  the  effi- 
cient Surgeon  of  the  12th  Regiment,  herewith  submitted. 
Some  muskets  were  left,  but  only  those  which  had  been 
drawn  for  enlisted  men,  who  were  at  the  time  absent,  by  rea- 
son of  the  severe  epidemic,  which  had  thinned  our  ranks 
during  the  previous  month. 

No  soldier  threw  away  his  arms.  In  regard  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  retreat  was  arranged  and  effected,  justice 


105 

to  myself  and  others  requires  that  I  should  add  a  word  of 
explanation. 

Having  received  no  instructions  as  to  the  mode  in  which 
the  Island  of  Bay  Point  should  be  defended,  nor  of  the  con- 
tingencies upon  which  it  should  be  abandoned,  with  no 
arrangement  for  receiving  orders  by  means  of  signals  or 
otherwise  from  headquarters,  and  totally  without  information 
of  any  plan  devised  or  facilities  provided  for  the  retreat  of 
my  command,  in  case  of  disaster,  I  felt  that  these  circum- 
stances imposed  upon  me  the  obligation  of  endeavoring  to 
secure  some  means  of  evacuating  the  Island,  in  the  event 
such  a  step  should  become  necessary.  Accordingly,  the  state 
of  facts  above  referred  to  continuing,  on  Tuesday  I  went  in 
person  to  Captain  Elliott,  who,  perhaps,  was  more  familiar 
with  the  localities  than  any  other  person,  and  after  learning 
from  him,  in  answer  to  my  enquiries,  that  a  retreat  was  prac- 
ticable through  Eddings's  Island,  if  boats  and  flats  could  be 
secured  to  take  the  forces  across  Station  Creek,  I  instructed 
him  to  select  some  prudent  and  trusty  person  to  superintend 
the  collection  of  the  necessary  means  of  transportation  at 
the  landing  on  Eddings's  Island.  The  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott 
was  chosen  to  discharge  this  important  duty,  and  left  on 
Thursday  morning  for  that  purpose. 

Fortunately  Captain  Thomas  Hankcl,  Mr.  Henry  Stuart, 
and  Mr.  W.  H.  Cuthbert,  of  Beaufort,  had  already  secured 
a  large  number  of  flats  at  Dr.  Jenkins's  landing,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  them  to  some  point  on  Eddings's  Island,  for 
our  relief.  Mr.  Elliott  informed  them  of  the  plan  agreed 
upon,  and  thus,  through  the  co-operation  of  these  gentle- 
men, and  the  valuable  assistance  of  Captain  Tripp  and  his 
command,  the  evacuation  of  the  Island  was  effected.  I  com- 
municated the  plan  of  retreat  to  none  save  Captain  Elliott, 
the  adjutant  and  the  quartermaster. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Barnes,  commanding  the  greater  por- 
tion of  infantry,  w;is  prompt  and  energetic  in  executing  the 
orders  for  the  movements  of  his  immediate  command.  From 
the  nature  of  the  attack  the  forces  at  Fort  Beauregard  were 
the  only  active  participants  in  the  engagement,  and  I  cannot 
close  this  report  without  drawing  special  attention  to  the 
high  qualities  of  the  officer  exhibited  by  Captain  Elliott 
commanding  that  work.  Compelled  from  the  necessities  of 
our  position  to  act  the  part  of  engineer,  ordnance  officer  and 
commander  of  the  fort,  he  exhibited  an  energy  and  intelli- 
gence in  preparing  the  batteries  for  the  fight,  which  were 


106 

only  equalled  by  the  gallantry  and  firmness  of  the  defenee. 

All  the  members  of  my  staff  did  their  duty.  Adjutant 
Talley,  Captain  Bell,  Quartermaster,  and  Rev.  C.  B.  Betts, 
the  Chaplain,  frequently  sent  with  orders  to  various  parts  of 
the  Island  during  the  bombardment,  executed  their  trust  in 
a  manner  entirely  satisfactory  to  me. 

Lieutenant  Youmans  and  his  detachment  were  efficient  in 
the  performance  of  the  part  assigned  them.  To  Lieutenant 
Johnson,  of  the  Beaufort  Artillery,  the  command  is  under 
obligations  for  valuable  services  rendered  at  the  ferry  across 
Station  Creek,  and  to  Captain  Thomas  R.  Elliott  for  similar 
aid,  in  passing  Whitehall  Ferry. 

The  reports  of  Captain  Elliott  and  Surgeon  Turnipseed 
are  herewith  respectfully  submitted. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed.)  R.  G.  M.  DUNOVANT, 

Colonel  WthReg't  S.  C.  V. 

Official  copy, 
(Signed.)      H.  E.  Young, 

A.  A.   General, 

(Official.)  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  General. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  THE  ENGAGEMENT  AT 
PIKETON,  JOHN  S.  WILLIAMS,  COLONEL  C.  S. 
A.,  COMMANDING. 


Camp  Near  Pound  Gap, 
Nov.  13th,  1861. 


General : 


Since  my  last  report  to  you,  I  have  been  compelled  to 
abandon  Piketon,  by  an  overwhelming  force,  that  advanced 
upon  me  in  two  columns — one  directly  up  the  River  from 
Prestonsburg,  sixteen  hundred  strong,  with  a  battery  of  six 
pieces,  and  the  other  from  Louisa,  up  Johns's  Creek,  a  branch 
of  the  Sandy,  numbering  eighteen  hundred  men,  with  a  bat- 
tery of  field  pieces.  Both  of  these  columns  converged  upon 
Piketon.  My  whole  force  consisted  of  1,010  men,  including 
sick,  teamsters  and  men  on  extra  duty.  I  did  not  believe 
that  the  advance  of  the  enemy  would  be  so  rapid,  and  hoped 
that  the  artillery  and  reinforcements  promised,  would  arrive 
before  they  could  disturb  me  at  Piketon. 

Under  this  confident  hope,  I  commenced  gathering  sup- 
plies, explored  the  leather  resources  of  the  country ;  found 
them  abundant,  and  organized  a  corps  of  shoemakers  and  had 
them  at  work.  Major  Ilawcs  had  purchased  a  thousand  fat 
hogs  and  a  number  of  beef  cattle,  and  was  making  prepara- 
tion to  salt  them.  My  men  were  badly  clad  and  badly  armed, 
with  not  a  knapsack,  haversack  or  canteen;  they  carried 
their  powder  in  horns,  gourds  and  bottles.  This  was  our 
condition  when  the  enemy  eommenoed  the  advance  upon  us. 
B  'treat  was  inevitable — but  there  was  too  much  public  pro- 
perty to  be  abandoned  without  an  effort  to  save  it. 


108 

I  at  once  ordered  all  the  transportation  possible  to  be  col- 
lected, and  sent  the  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  live  stock  to 
the  rear,  on  the  Pound  Gap  Road,  for  the  Tazewell  route  was 
no  longer  safe.  I  sent  a  small  armed  force  immediately  on 
the  Tazewell  route  with  written  orders  to  turn  back  the  ar- 
tillery and  all  public  wagons  to  a  point  of  safety  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

I  then  sent  Captain  Holliday  with  a  small  mounted  party 
on  the  Johns's  Creek  Road,  and  Captains  Thomas  and  Clay 
on  the  river  road  to  Prestonsburg  to  observe  the  movements 
of  the  enemy.  This  Avas  on  the  night  of  the  8th.  Captain 
Thomas  discovered  the  advanced  guard  of  the  enemy  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Piketon.  I  went  in  person  with  Captains 
May  and  Hawkins,  with  their  companies  of  infantry,  and 
Lieut.  Van  Hook,  with  20  mounted  men,  to  the  position  of 
Capt.  Thomas,  near  Joy  Creek.  I  found  that  Capt.  Thomas 
had  burned  the  bridge  there.  The  men  were  allowed  to  re- 
fresh themselves,  and  the  horses  eecured  in  a  deep  mountain 
cove,  and  the  whole  party,  of  250  men,  moved  on  foot  to  a 
strong  position  half  mile  in  front  of  the  burnt  bridge,  here 
to  await  what  we  supposed  to  be  the  advanced  guard  of  the 
enemy's  force. 

I  returned  to  our  camp  at  day  light  and  met  the  report  of 
•Captain  Holliday,  who  had  been  fired  upon  by  an  advanced 
guard  of  the  enemy,  of  about  150  men.  He  gave  them  a 
gallant  fight,  killed  eight  of  them,  having  only  one  of  his 
number  wounded  and  one  horse  killed. 

I  despatched  Captain  Shawhan  with  his  own  and  Captain 
Cameron's  companies,  to  observe  the  movement  of  the  enemy 
on  Johns's  Creek,  with  instructions  to  engage  any  party 
not  more  than  twice  his  number,  but  not  to  attack  the  ene- 
my's full  force. 

At  half-past  one  o'clock,  on  the  9th  inst.,  the  enemy  moved 
up  to  Capt.  May's  position,  with  ;i  force  of  sixteen  hundred 
men  and  a  battery  of  six  pieces ;  and  were  received  by  250 
rifles  and  shot  guns,  in  point  blank  range,  every  one  of  which 
took  effect.  Their  column  wavered  and  fell  back ;  but  re- 
turned in  good  order,  and  attempted  to  carry  the  pass  by 
assault  under  cover  of  ther  cannon,  but  were  repulsed  again 
with  terrific  slaughter.  They  then  withdrew  beyond  the 
range  of  our  shot  guns  and  threw  their  infantry  up  the  hills, 
soon  outflanking  our  little  band,  and  compelling  them  to  fall 
back  behind  the  burnt  bridge  ;  here  our  force  made  a  stand ; 
but  the  enemy  advanced  no  farther.     I  then  ordered  three 


109 

more  companies  of  infantry  to  sustain  Capt.  May's  command, 
or  to  cover  his  retreat,  if  necessary.  At  12  o'clock  at  night 
Capt.  Shawhan  reported  to  me  that  the  enemy  were  advanc- 
ing in  full  force  on  the  Johns's  Creek  Road  with  great  ra- 
pidity. I  then  ordered  Captains  May  and  Shawhan  and  all 
the  outposts  in.  I  made  a  display  of  forces  in  Piketon,  sent 
the  exhausted  infantry  in  the  direction  of  our  retreat,  and 
waited  with  the  balance  of  the  command,  the  arrival  of  the 
enemy.  They  came  up  slowly  and  cautiously,  but  were  de- 
tained for  an  hour  by  Capt.  Thomas's  company  of  sharp- 
shooters, stationed  near  the  ford,  which  prevented  their  artil- 
lery from  getting  into  position  to  rake  the  town.  As  they 
approached,  I  moved  the  rear  guard  of  400  men  off  in  good 
order.  They  opened  upon  us  a  tremendous  fire  of  artillery 
and  musketry,  and  were  replied  to  by  our  sharp-shooters. 
We  had  one  man  killed  and  three  wounded,  while  the  enemy 
had  six  killed.  In  the  Joy  fight  our  loss  was  ten  in  killed, 
fifteen  wounded  and  forty  missing.  Some  of  the  missing 
men  have  gone  back  to  their  homes,  and  others  join  us  daily. 
We  lost  Lieut.  Rust,  who  fell  gallantly  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duty.  My  first  belief  was  that  the  enemy  had  lost  but 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men  ;  but  from,  subsequent  information 
received  from  spies,  Union  men,  escaped  prisoners  who  have 
joined  us,  and  others  who  have  examined  their  burial-ground, 
I  am  satisfied  the  enemy  lost  over  three  hundred  in  killed, 
with  the  usual  proportion  of  wounded. 

I  cannot  speak  in  terms  of  commendation  too  high,  of  the 
gallantry  of  Captains  May,  Thomas,  Hawkins  and  Clay,  and 
Lieut.  Van  Hook,  and  Sam  Clay.  Indeed  the  officers  and 
men  behaved  with  so  much  courage  and  coolness  that  to  dis- 
criminate at  all  would  be  invidious.  If  we  had  have  had 
one  thousand  men  more,  and  a  battery  of  six  pieces,  we 
could  have  whipped  and  destroyed  both  columns,  but  with 
the  small  force  I  had,  it  was  impossible  to  fight  both  at  once, 
and  to  have  opposed  my  whole  force  to  one,  would  have  ex- 
posed my  rear  to  the  other.  Our  cartridge  boxes  arrived  tin- 
day  after  the  fight.  We  had  powder  and  lead,  and  made  our 
own  cartridges,  and  moulded  our  own  bullets.  The  enemy 
have  six  thousand  troops  near  Piketon,  one  thousand  of  them 
advanced  ten  miles  this  side  of  that  place.  They  have  not 
more  than  1,500  at  Prestonsburg  j  what  they  have  below,  as 
reserves,  I  know  but  little  of,  for  all  communication  is  cut 
off,  and  the  whole  country  is  frightened  out  of  its  wits,  and 
but  few  men  will  act  as  scouts  or  guides.     I  am  satisfied  that 


no 

this  large  force  was  not  moved  up  the  Sandy  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  dispersing  the  unorganized  and  half-armed,  bare- 
footed squad  under  my  command. 

They  intend  to  move  upon  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee 
Railroad,  I  think,  by  way  of  Tazewell  Court  House.  They 
fortify  their  positions,  and  have  a  large  number  of  wagons. 
The  Sandy  is  now  navigable  for  steamboats  to  a  point  above 
Piketon. 

We  want  good  rifles,  clothes,  great  coats,  knapsacks,  hav- 
ersacks and  canteens;  indeed  everything  almost  except  a 
willingness  to  fight.  Many  of  our  men  are  barefooted,  and 
I  have  seen  the  blood  in  their  tracks  as  they  marched  from 
Joy  to  this  place.  You  know  what  we  want,  General ;  send 
such  articles  as  we  need  to  Abingdon.  There  is  little  sub- 
sistence here,  and  I  fear  I  shall  be  compelled  to  fall  back  to 
a  point  where  I  can  subsist  until  our  organization  is  per- 
fected. We  have  been  so  constantly  fighting  that  we  have 
not  had  time  to  complete  our  muster  rolls.  I  have  now  over 
twelve  hundred  men.  If  I  could  make  a  forward  movement 
the  effect  would  be  good  upon  the  country. 

Mr.  Thomas  has  just  received,  from  the  Governor  of 
Florida,  a  commission  as  "Aid-de-Camp,"  with  rank  of  Col- 
onel. I  cannot  insist  on  retaining  him  from  such  increased 
rank.  Send  somebody  else.  If  the  enemy  should  move  by 
way  of  the  Pound,  I  have  not  a  sufficient  force  to  resist  them, 
no  artillery,  no  entrenching  tools,  nor  axes,  spades  or  picks. 
If  they  come  we  will  give  them  a  fight,  but  this  will  do  us 
no  good,  save  to  destroy  a  few  of  them.  I  have  just  learned 
from  a  spy  that  a  steamboat  arrived  at  Piketon  yesterday 
with  supplies  to  the  enemy.  Major  Hawes  wants  more 
money;  he  has  bought  hogs,  horses,  wagons,  &c,  &c. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  WILLIAMS, 

Colonel  C.  S.  A. 

(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE  IN  ALLEGHANY  MOUN- 
TAINS, DECEMBER  13th,  1861,  EDWARD  JOHN- 
SON,  COLONEL  12th  GEORGIA  REGIMENT,  COM- 
MANDING  MONTEREY  LINE. 


Headquarters  Monterey  Line,  ) 
Camp  Alleghany,  December  19th,  1861.      ) 

Colonel  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report 
of  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  which  occurred  at  this 
place  on  the  13th  instant. 

On  the  12th  I  sent  out  a  scouting  party  of  106  men,  com- 
manded by  Major  Ross,  of  the  52d  Virginia  Volunteers,  with 
instructions  to  ambuscade  a  point  on  the  pike  beyond  Camp 
Baxter,  on  Greenbrier.  On  the  afternoon  of  that  day  the 
advanced  guard  of  the  enemy  approached,  were  fired  into  by 
Major  Ross's  command,  and  many  of  them  killed  or  wounded. 
Immediately  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  approached  in  force, 
deployed  and  advanced  upon  our  scouting  party,  who  retired 
and  came  into  camp  that  night.  On  the  morning  of  the 
13th,  about  4,  A.  M.,  I  was  aroused  by  the  officer  of  the 
day,  who  reported  firing  at  the  advanced  pickets  on  the  pike 
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy.  I  immediately  turned  out  the 
whole  of  my  command  and  prepared  to  meet  them. 

I  ordered  Hansborough's  Battalion,  the  31st  Virginia,  com- 
manded by  Major  Boykin,  and  Reager's  Battalion,  to  occupy 
the  crest  of  the  mountain,  on  the  right,  to  guard  against 
approach  from  that  quarter.  On  this  hill  there  were  no  de- 
fences. There  were  some  fields  and  felled  timber,  beyond 
which  reached  the  crest  of  the  mountain.  The  enemy  ad- 
vanced to  our  front,  and,  conducted  by  a  guide,  a  Union 
man  from  Western  Virginia,  who  was  familiar  with  the 
roads  and  trails  in  this  vicinity,  turned  off  from  the  turnpike, 
about  a  mile  from  our  position,  near  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tain, and  reached  our  right  by  a  trail,  which  led  into  a  road 


112 

coming  into  the  field  slightly  in  our  rear.  As  they  approach- 
ed this  position,  pickets  thrown  out  from  Hansborough's  Bat- 
talion discovered  them,  and  reported  them  as  advancing  in 
strong  force.  About  quarter-past  7,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  ad- 
vanced and  a  terrific  fire  commenced.  The  enemy  on  this  flank 
numbered  fully  two  thousand.  They  were  gallantly  met  by 
our  troops,  who  did  not  exceed  three  hundred  at  this  time. 
As  soon  as  I  heard  the  firing,  I  ordered  two  companies  of  the 
12th  Georgia,  (Hawkins  and  Blanford,)  who  had  at  the  first 
alarm  been  posted  on  the  pike,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
front,  down  the  mountain,  to  move  up  immediately  to  the 
support  of  our  forces  on  the  right.  Three  other  companies  of 
the  12th,  Davis's,  Hardeman's  and  Patterson's  (Lieut.  U.  E. 
Moore  commanding)  were  also  ordered  to  the  support  of 
those  on  the  right,  who  were  making  a  gallant  defence,  and 
holding  the  position  against  immense  odds.  Gallantly  did 
the  Georgians  move  up,  and,  taking  position  on  the  left,  re- 
ceived a  terrible  fire  from  the'  enemy.  By  this  time  the 
extreme  right  had  been  forced  back,  but  seeing  the  Geor- 
gians, who  came  on  with  a  shout,  they  jomed  them  and 
moved  upon  the  enemy,  who,  taking  advantage  of  some  fal- 
len trees,  brush  and  timber,  poured  upon  them  a  terrific  fire. 
Our  men  were  checked,  but  not  driven  back.  They  did  not 
yield  an  inch,  but  steadily  advanced — cheered  and  led  on 
by  their  officers.  Many  of  the  officers  fought  by  the  side  of 
their  men,  and  led  them  on  to  the  conflict.  I  never  witnessed 
harder  fighting.  The  enemy,  behind  trees,  with  their  long 
range  arms,  at  first  had  decidedly  the  advantage,  but  our  men 
soon  eame  up  to  them  and  drove  them  from  their  cover.  I 
cannot  speakin  terms  too  exaggerated  of  the  unflinching  cour- 
age and  dashing  gallantry  of  those  five  hundred  men,  who 
contended  from  a  quarter  past  7,  A.  M.,  until  a  quarter  to 
2,  P.  M.,  against  an  immensely  superior  force  of  the  enemy, 
and  finally  drove  them  from  their  position  and  pursued  them 
a  mile  or  more  down  the  mountain.  I  cannot  name  all  who 
deserve  particular  mention  for  their  gallantry  and  good  .con- 
duct. 

Colonel  Hansborough,  whilst  gallantly  leading  his  batta- 
lion, was  wounded  by  a  pistol  shot  and  carried  from  the  field. 
Soon  after  the  fight  became  general,  the  brave  Lieutenant 
L.  T.Thompson,  of  the  31st  Virginia, fell  severely  wounded. 
His  good  conduct  had  attracted  my  attention,  and  he  fell 
within  a  few  feet  of  me.  Captain  Mollohan,  whilst  cheering 
and  leading  his  men  in   pursuit  of  the  enemy,  fell   mortally 


113 

wounded.  Lieutenant  Moore,  12th  Georgia  Volunteers, 
whilst  gallantly  leading  a  charge,  fell  mortally  wounded. 
This  gallant  officer  was  ever  ready  for  any  expedition  in- 
volving danger.     He  was  truly  brave. 

Captains  Davis,  Blanford,  Hardeman  and  Hawkins,  their 
officers  and  men,  behaved  admirably.  Captain  Davis  and  his 
company  were  conspicuous  for  their  gallantry  and  good  con- 
duct throughout  the  fight. 

Adjutant  Willis,  Lieutenants  McCoy,  Ethridge,  Marshall 
and  Turpin,  12th  Georgia  Regiment,  deserve  particular 
mention  for  their  good  conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Boykin,  commanding  31st  Virginia 
Volunteers,  his  officers  and  men,  deserve  my  thanks  for  their 
unflinching  courage  throughout  the  struggle.  This  regiment 
suffered  severely.  Lieutenants  Toothman,  J.  Johnson,  Mc- 
Newman,  J.  B.  Philips,  all  wounded,  deserve  honorable  men- 
tion. Captain  Thompson,  31st  Virginia,  deserves  special 
notice.  Adjutant  Morgan,  Lieutenants  Robinson,  Hay— 
mond,  Sergeants  Jarvis,  Rader,  Pots,  Collings,  Musgrave 
and  Green,  Hansborough's  Battalion,  are  favorably  men- 
tioned by  their  commander. 

My  command  consisted  of  12th  Georgia,  Regiment,  under 
the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  T.  Con- 
nor; 52d  Virginia,  Majors  Ross,  Hansborough  and  Reagers 
Battalions;  31st  Virginia,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Boykin; 
"Lee  Battery"  of  Artillery,  four  pieces.  Captain  P.  B.  An- 
derson ;  Captain  Miller's  Battery,  four  pieces ;  a  detach- 
ment of  Pittsylvania  Cavalry,  Lieutenant  Dabney.  The: 
artillery  was  posted  on  the  hill  left  of  my  position,  which 
had  been  entrenched. 

Immediately  after  the  troops  were  turned  out,  the  12th> 
Georgia  and  .52d  Virginia  were  ordered  into  the  trenches. 
The  Pittsylvania  Cavalry,  dismounted,  under  Lieutenants 
Dabney,  also  went  into  the  trenches,  armed  with  carbines. 

A  large  column  of  the  enemy,  led  by  one  Slater,  a  traitor,, 
well   acquainted  with  that  country,  approached  th*3  left  of. 
this    position   by   a    road    running    along    a     leading    ridge. 
About  half  an  hour  after  the  attack  was    made  on    the  right., 
this    column    came   up  on    the   left  to  our  trenches.      They; 
were   evidently  surprised   to  find  us  entrenched.      Here  the 
brave    Anderson,    by  a  fatal    mistake,  lost    his    life.      As  the 
enemy  advanced  he  rode   to   tin-  treneh  and  invited  them  in, 
thinking  they  were  our  returning  pickets,  at  the  same  time 
telling  our  men  not  to  fire.      lie  was  instantly  shot  down  by 


114 

the  advanced  body  of  the  enemy's  forces.  Our  men  then 
opened  a  galling  fire  upon  them,  and  they  fell  back  into  the 
fallen  timber  and  brush,  from  which  they  kept  up  a  constant 
fire  at  our  men  in  the  trenches,  and  upon  our  artillerists. 
My  A.  A.  A.  General,  Captain  James  Deshler,  of  the  Ar- 
tillery, whilst  behaving  most  gallantly,  was  shot  down  in  the 
trenches  by  a  wound  through  both  thighs.  He  refused  to 
leave  the  field,  and  remained  in  the  trenches  until  the  day 
was  over. 

Captain  Miller  opened  upon  the  enemy  with  his  guns  and 
behaved  with  great  gallantry,  exposing  himself  at  his  guns 
to  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters. 

After  the  enemy's  force,  on  the  right,  had  been  repulsed 
and  driven  from  the  field,  I  ordered  all  of  our  men  who  had 
been  engaged  in  that  quarter  to  join  our  troops  in  the 
trenches  on  the  left.  They  took  post  with  the  other  troops 
and  opened  fire  on  the  enemy  as  occasion  offered.  The  en- 
emy, under  the  fire  of  artillery  and  infantry,  soon  retreated 
from  the  left,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded. 

The  enemy's  force  on  the  left  was  larger,  if  anything, 
than  the  force  on  the  right.  They  numbered,  in  all,  about 
five  thousand  men,  who  had  been  drawn  from  Bealington, 
Beverly,  Huttonsville,  Elkwater  and  Cheat  Mountain. 

My  force  did  not  exceed  twelve  hundred  effective  men  of 
all  arms. 

General  Reynolds,  U.  S.  A.,  commanded  the  whole  of  the 
enemy's  forces,  and  General  Milroy  the  attack  on  our  right. 
General  Milroy  is  reported,  by  prisoners  captured,  to  have 
been  wounded.  The  enemy  left  upon  the  field  thirty-five 
dead  and  thirteen  wounded.  They  carried  from  the  field 
large  numbers  of  dead  and  wounded.  This  I  get  from  citi- 
zens who  reside  upon  the  roads  along  which  they  retreated. 
Ten  or  twelve  ambulances  Avere  seen  conveying  their 
wounded.  We  captured  three  prisoners,  and  about  one 
hundred  stand  of  arms,  which  the  enemy  had  thrown  away 
in  his  flight. 

Although  we  have  reason  to  be  thankful  to  God  for  the 
victory  achieved  over  our  enemies  on  this  occasion,  we  can 
but  lament  the  loss  of  many  valuable  lives. 

Our  casualties  amount  to  twenty  killed,  ninety-six 
wounded,  and  twenty-eight  missing.  Many  of  the  missing 
have  returned  since  the  day  of  the  battle. 

I  am  much  indebted  to  Surgeons  H.  K.  Greene,  of  the 
12th    Geurgia   Regiment,  and   W.  T.  Blanc,  of  the    31st 


115 

Virginia,  for  their  attention  to  our  own  wounded,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  enemy.  They  have  been  untiring  in  their 
efforts  to  alleviate  their  sufferings. 

Dr.  Greene  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  hand  by  a  spent 
ball,  whilst  attending  to  the  wounded. 

Herewith  I  transmit  a  list  of  casualties,  also  the  reports 
of  commanders  of  regiments  and  corps. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  EDWARD  JOHNSON, 

Colonel  \1lth  Georgia  Regiment, 
Commanding  Monterey  Line. 

To    Colonel  C.  L.  Stevenson,  Assistant  Adjutant   General, 
Army  North-West,  Staunton. 

(Official.)  Jno.  Withers, 

A.  A.  General 


[Copy.] 
ORDERS,    No.   5. 

Headquarters,  Western  Department, 
Bowling  Green,  Nov.  30,  1861. 

The  General  has  been  impatient  for  reports  of  the  battle 
of  Belmont.  They  have  been  received,  and  he  pronounces 
the  work  well  done. 

To  Major  General  Polk,  who  formed  troops  capable  of 
such  actions,  and  whose  dispositions  prepared  them  for  such 
a  victory,  to  Brigadier  General  Pillow,  who  so  skillfully  led, 
and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  so  gallantly  followed  that 
lead  over  a  hard  contested  field  to  complete  success,  his 
thanks  are  due  and  his  congratulations  heartily  given. 

This  was  no  ordinary  shock  of  arms ;  it  was  a  long  and 
trying  contest,  in  which  our  troops  fought  by  detachments, 
and  always  against  superior  numbers. 

The  7th  of  November  will  fill  a  bright  page  in  our  mili- 
tary annals,  and  be  remembered  with  gratitude  by  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  the  South. 

(Signed,)  A.  S.  JOHNSON, 

General  C.  S.  A. 

(Official,)  W.  W.  Mackall, 

A.  A.  General. 

(Official.)  R.  H.   Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  BELMONT,  MAJOR 
GENERAL  POLK,  COMMANDING. 


Haedquarters   1st.  Division,      ^ 

Western  Department,  Columbus,  Ky.,  > 

November  10th,   1861.       ) 

Col.  W.  W.  Mackall,  C.  S.  A.,  A.  A.  G. 

I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  Army  under  my  command,  in  the  battle  of 
the  7th. 

From  information  received  from  several  sources,  I  had 
reason  to  believe  it  was  the  intention  of  the  enemy  to  attack 
my  position  at  this  place  at  an  early  day,  provision  to  meet 
which  was  made  accordingly. 

Between  two  and  three  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th, 
a  courier  arrived  at  my  headquarters,  informing  me  of  the 
movement  of  a  strong  force,  designed  to  attack  General 
Thompson's  positions,  at  Bloomfield  and  New  Madrid. 

When,  therefore,  I  was  informed  shortly  after  day-break, 
through  a  member  of  my  staff,  that  the  enemy  had  made  their 
appearance  in  the  river  with  gun-boats,  and  transports,  and 
were  landing  a  considerable  force  on  the  Missouri  shore,  five 
or  six  miles  above  Belmont,  I  became  satisfied  it  was  their 
intention  to  make  the  attack  general. 

I  despatched,  immediately,  messengers  to  the  General 
Officers  of  Division,  to  inform  them  of  my  impressions  and 
the  posture  of  affairs,  with  instructions  to  make  such  dispo- 
sition of  their  commands,  m  the  emergency  required. 

The  same  Information  vaa  conveyed  to  Col.  Tappan,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  force  at  Belmont. 


120 

To  General  Pillow,  whose  Division  was  nearest  the  point 
immediately  threatened,  I  gave  orders,  in  person,  to  move 
immediately  to  the  relief  of  Col.  Tappan,  with  four  of  his 
regiments.  For  this  service  he  detailed  Col.  Russell's,  Col. 
Wright's,  Col.  Pickett's  and  Col.  Freeman's  Regiments  of 
Tennessee  Volunteers;  these,  with  Col.  Tappan's  13th  Ar- 
kansas, Capt.  Beltzhoover's  Watson  Battery,  and  a  Squadron 
of  Lieut.  Col.  Miller's  Battalion  of  Cavalry,  composing  the 
force  on  the  other  side,  were  deemed  sufficient  to  resist  the 
column  reported  to  have  landed. 

Having  an  adequate  number  of  steamers  at  the  landing, 
this  order  was  promptly  executed. 

My  attention  was  then  directed  to  the  proper  distribution 
of  the  forces  for  receiving  an  attack  on  the  Columbus  side 
of  the  river. 

Having  examined,  and  found  the  batteries  in  the  fort  in 
a  proper  condition,  I  proceeded  up  the  river  to  examine  the 
dispositions  of  General  McCown,  who  was  charged  with  the 
defences  of  the  left  flank ;  these  I  found  to  be  satisfactory. 
He  had  already  advanced  a  battery  of  long-range  guns,  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  R.  A.  Stewart,  of  the  Louisiana, 
"Point  Coupee"  Battery,  to  a  position  from  whence  he  could 
reach  with  ease  the  enemy's  gun-boats. 

From  this  point,  and  that  occupied  by  the  heavy  siege 
Battery,  under  command  of  Captain  Hamilton,  as  also,  from 
several  of  the  guns  of  the  fort,  he  opened  a  heavy  fire,  which 
was  duly  responded  to  by  the  enemy ;  after  half-an-hour's 
engagement,  the  boats  were  driven  up  the  river ;  at  a  sub- 
sequent period,  they  again  dropped  down  and  renewed  the 
conflict,  throwing  shot  and  shell  into  the  works.  This  was 
continued  for  an  hour,  when  they  were  again  forced  to  retire. 

Ascertaining  that  the  remaining  portion  of  General  Pil- 
low's Division,  as  well  as  that  of  General  Cheatham  was  in 
proper  position,  I  returned  to  the  river  bank,  opposite  to 
Belmont. 

At  20  minutes  past  ten  o'clock,  the  firing  of  the  enemy's 
advanced  guard  upon  our  pickets  was  heard,  and,  in  about 
40  minutes  afterwards,  the  engagement  became  general  with 
all  arms. 

Taking  my  position  on  the  river  bank,  mid-way  between 
the  two  points  of  expected  attack,  I  despatched  one  of  my 
aids  to  the  Missouri  shore,  to  inform  Gen.  Pillow  of  my  po- 
sition, and  readiness  to  afford  him  such  support  as  he  might 
require. 


121 

In  reply,  he  requested  me  to  send  him  additional  ammu- 
nition, a  regiment  of  infantry,  and  a  section  ef  artillery,  to 
be  held  as  a  reserve. 

The  ammunition  and  Col.  J.  Knox  Walker's  regiment 
were  sent  him  immediately,  and,  instead  of  a  section  of  ar- 
tillery, I  despatched  him  two  field  batteries — those  of  Cap- 
tains W.  H.  Jackson  and  Polk.  Such  a  force  of  field  artil- 
lery had  become  necessary,  from  the  fact,  that  Capt.  Beltz- 
hoovcr's  Battery,  from  want  of  ammunition,  had  ceased 
firing,  and  the  enemy  had  opened  fire  with  a  heavy  battery, 
of  the  presence  of  which,  upon  the  field,  I  had,  until  then, 
not  been  apprised. 

The  steamer  transporting  these  batteries,  in  her  attempt 
to  land  them,  on  the  Missouri  shore,  by  some  means  lost  her 
stage-planks,  and  the  landing,  at  that  moment,  became  im- 
possible. She  was  forced  to  return  to  the  Kentucky  shore. 
Capt.  Polk's  Battery  was  landed  at  a  later  hour,  but  too  late 
to  render  service  in  the  operations  of  the  day. 

By  this  time  it  was  obvious  that  further  reinforcements 
had  become  necessary,  and  Col.  Carroll's  15th  Tennessee, 
and  Col.  Marks'  1 1th  Louisiana  Regiments,  which  had  been 
ordered  to  the  river  bank,  and  were  held  as  a  reserve,  were 
ordered  forward. 

I  directed  Col.  Marks  to  land  his  regiment  higher  up  the 
river,  with  a  view  to  a  flank  movement,  which  he  was  ordered 
to  make. 

Shortly  after  his  landing,  he  was  met  by  General  Pillow, 
who  directed  him,  with  his  regiment,  and  that  of  Col.  Car- 
roll, to  move  rapidly  on  the  enemy's  flank. 

General  Pillow  directed  Colonel  Russell,  with  his  Brigade, 
to  support  that  movement,  and  himself  accompanied  this 
command,  during  the  execution  of  the  movement,  under 
Col.  Marks.  Captain  dackson,  who  had  reported  to  Gene- 
ral Pillow  that  he  could  not  get  his  battery  ashore,  was  at- 
tached to  his  staff,  and  directed  to  lead  this  column.  In 
aiding  Lieutenant  Colonel  Barrow,  who  was  in  immediate 
command  of  the  11th  Louisiana,  to  bring  a  portion  of  the 
column  into  line,  he  fell,  severely  WOnnded. 

Apprehending  every  moment  an  attack  in  my  rear,  on 
Columbus,  which  subsequent  information  proves  to  have 
been  the  enemy's  plan,  it  was,  with  great  reluctance,  I  les- 
sened the  force  assigned  to  its  defence ;  nevertheless,  it  vr&fl 
obvious  from  the  yielding  of  our  columns  to  the  heavy  pres- 
sure of  the  masses  of  the   enemy's   infantry,  ami  the  fierce 


122 

assaults  of  their  heavy  battery,  that  further  reinforcements 
were  necessary,  I  ordered  down  General  Cheatham,  with  the 
1st  Brigade  of  his  Division,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Preston  Smith. 

The  General  having  arrived  in  advance  of  his  Brigade, 
was  directed  by  me  to  take  the  nearest  steamer,  and  to  move 
promptly  across  the  river,  to  rally  and  take  command  of  the 
portions  of  the  regiments  within  sight  on  the  shore,  and  to 
support  the  flank  movement  ordered  through  Colonel  Marks. 
This  he  did  promptly  and  effectively. 

At  this  juncture  the  enemy  fired  our  tents,  and  advancing 
his  battery  nearer  the  river  bank,  opened  a  heavy  fire  on  the 
steamers  which  were  transporting  our  troops,  in  some  in- 
stances driving  shot  through  two  of  them  at  the  same  time. 

Their  commanders,  pilots,  and  other  officers,  nevertheless, 
stood  firmly  at  their  posts,  and  exhibited  a  fearlessness  and 
energy  deserving  of  the  highest  praise. 

These  boats  were  the  "  Prince,"  under  Captain  Butler, 
who  particularly  distinguished  himself;  the  "  Charm,"  un- 
der Captain  Trask,  and  the  "  Hill,"  under  Captain  Newell, 
with  the  "  Kentucky,"  under  Captain  Lodwick. 

I  directed  Captain  Smith's  Mississippi  Battery  to  move  to 
the  river  bank,  opposite  the  field  of  conflict,  and  to  open 
upon  the  enemy's  position  ;  I  also  directed  Major  A.  P. 
Stewart,  in  command  of  the  heavy  guns  in  the  fort,  to  open 
upon  the  same  position,  it  being  now  seen  that  these  guns 
could  be  used  without  causing  danger  to  our  own  troops. 

This  joint  fire  was  so  terrific  as  to  dislodge  the  enemy, 
silence  their  battery,  and  cause  them  to  take  up  their  line  of 
march  for  their  boats. 

They  had  scarcely  put  themselves  in  motion  when  they 
encountered  Colonel  Marks  first,  and  afterwards  General 
Cheatham  in  their  flank,  with  both  of  whom  severe  conflicts 
followed,  and  by  Avhom  they  were  driven  in  with  great  loss. 

On  the  arrival  of  General  Cheatham's  Brigade,  being  now 
satisfied  the  attack  on  Columbus,  for  some  reason,  had  failed, 
I  took  charge  of  it,  together  with  Captain  White's  Company, 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Logwood's  Battalion  of  Cavalry,  and 
proceeded  with  them  across  the  river,  having  first  ordered 
two  Regiments  of  General  McCown's  Division  to  follow. 

On  landing,  I  was  met  by  Generals  Pillow  and  Cheatham, 
whom  I  directed,  with  the  Regiments  of  General  Cheatham's 
command,  and  portions  of  others,  to  press  the  enemy  to 
their  boats. 


123 

This  order  was  executed  with  alacrity  and  in  double  quick 
time. 

The  route  over  which  we  passed  was  strewn  with  the  dead 
and  wounded  of  the  conflicts  of  Colonel  Marks  and  General 
Cheatham,  already  alluded  to,  and  with  arms,  knapsacks, 
overcoats,  &c. 

On  arriving  at  the  point  where  his  transports  lay,  I  or- 
dered the  column,  headed  by  the  154th  Sen'r  Regiment  of 
Tennessee  Volunteers,  under  cover  of  a  field  thickly  set 
with  corn,  to  be  deployed  along  the  river  bank,  within  easy 
range  of  the  boats.  This  being  accomplished,  a  heavy  fire 
was  opened  upon  them  simultaneously,  riddling  them  with 
balls,  and,  as  we  have  reason  to  believe,  with  heavy  loss  to 
the  enemy.  Under  this  galling  fire  they  cut  their  lines  and 
retreated  from  the  shore,  many  of  their  soldiers  being  driven 
overboard  by  the  rush  of  those  behind  them. 

Our  fire  was  returned  by  the  heaviest  cannonading  from 
their  gun-boats,  Avhich  discharged  upon  our  lines  showers  of 
grape,  cannister  and  shell,  as  they  retired  with  their  convoy 
in  the  direction  of  Cairo. 

It  being  now  sunset,  and  being  left  in  possession  of  the 
field,  I  ordered  the  troops  to  retire. 

My  first  acknowledgments  for  this  signal  triumph  of  our 
arms,  and  the  defeat  of  the  machinations  of  our  enemy,  are 
due  to  the  favoring  providence  of  Almighty  God,  by  which 
the  plans  of  our  enemies  were  unveiled  and  frustrated,  and 
by  which  the  hearts  of  our  troops  were  made  strong  in  the 
day  of  battle. 

Confiding  in  the  justice  of  our  cause,  we  have  felt  we 
could  put  our  trust  in  His  protection  and  defence,  and  He 
has  given  us  the  victory. 

Our  thanks  are  due  to  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  who, 
under  God,  were  the  instruments  of  this  victory. 

To  Brigadier  General  Pillow,  to  whom  the  duty  of  receiv- 
ing the  enemy's  attack  was  assigned,  is  due  the  credit  of 
meeting  that  attack  with  firmness,  and  of  sustaining  the  heat 
of  the  conflict  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement. 

This  he  did  with  persistent  energy  and  gallantry,  coura- 
geously supporting  and  encouraging  his  troops  by  cheering 
words  and  personal  example 

My  thanks  are  due  to  General  AfcCoWD  for  the  prompti- 
tude with  which  he  made  the  dispositions  proper  for  the 
defence  of  the  left  flank  on  the  Columbus  side,  ami  for  the 
manner  in  which  he  controlled  the  movements  of  the  gun- 


\u 

boats  by  the  judicious  management  of  the  field  battery  of 
Captain  Stewart,  the  seige  battery  of  Captain  Hamilton,  and 
the  heavy  guns  in  the  fort. 

I  am  indebted  also  to  General  Cheatham,  who,  at  a  later 
hour,  by  his  promptitude  and  gallantry,  rallied  the  broken 
fragments  of  our  column  and  directed  them  with  such  resist- 
less energy  against  the  enemy's  flank. 

Colonel  Marks,  of  the  11th  Louisiana  Regiment,  rendered 
the  most  efficient  service,  by  the  decision  with  which  he  led 
his  column,  in  the  face  of  the  most  discouraging  circum- 
stances, to  the  attack  of  the  enemy's  flank. 

The  condition  of  the  field  after  the  battle,  and  the  route 
pursued  by  the  flying  enemy,  sufficiently  testify  to  the 
deadly  aim  of  the  Louisianians  and  Tennesseans,  who  com- 
posed his  command.  It  was  in  this  attack  that  the  gallant 
Major  Butler  lost  his  life  in  the  performance  of  a  duty  in 
advance  of  his  column.  He  was  a  young  officer  of  high 
promise,  and  deeply  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. 

The  firmness  with  which  Colonel  J.  V.  Wright  and  his 
gallant  regiment  sustained  themselves  on  the  left  flank  of 
the  first  line  of  battle,  as  elsewhere,  merits  strong  recom- 
mendations. 

The  Watson  Battery  was  served  with  decided  ability  and 
unflinching  courage  by  its  commander,  Captain  Beltzhoover, 
who  retired  his  guns  from  the  field  only  after  he  had  ex- 
hausted his  ammunition. 

In  this  connection,  also,  as  belonging  to  the  same  com- 
mand, it  is  due  to  Colonel  Tappan  and  his  regiment  to  say, 
that  the  promptness  with  which  they  prepared  to  receive  the 
enemy,  and  the  determined  courage  with  which  they  sus- 
tained their  part  of  the  general  conflict,  is  entitled  to  ap- 
probation. 

To  Captain  M.  Smith,  of  the  Mississippi  Battery,  and  to 
Major  A.  P.  Stewart,  who  directed  the  Artillery  in  the  Fort, 
I  am  particularly  indebted  for  the  skill  and  judgment  mani- 
fested in  the  service  of  the  guns  under  their  command,  to 
the  joint  fire  from  which,  I  feel  not  a  little  indebted  for 
turning  the  fortunes  of  the  d;iy. 

But  to  recite  in  detail  all  the  instances  of  skill  and 
courage  displayed  by  individual  Commanders  and  their  seve- 
ral commands,  would  be  to  run  well  through  the  list  of  those 
who  were  engaged,  and  to  anticipate  also  the  reports  of  the 
division  and  regimental  Commanders. 

The  battle  was  fought  against  great  odds,  both  as  to  num- 


125 

bers  and  position,  the  Mississippi  river  dividing  the  field, 
placed  us  at  a  disadvantage,  which  it  was  necessary  to  over- 
come, and,  although  we  experienced  an  occasional  reverse, 
these  reverses  were  soon  repaired,  and  the  results  of  the  day 
proved,  beyond  all  doubt,  the  superiority  of  our  troops  in 
all  the  essential  characteristics  of  the  soldier 

To  A.  A.  A.  G.  Blake,  C.  S.  A.,  Lieut.  Dixon,  C.  S.  A. 
Engineers,  Captain  Champney's  Ordnance,  Lieut.  Snowden, 
C.  S.  A.,  Topographical  Corps,  Major  H.  W.  Winslow, 
Acting  A.  D.  C.,  all  members  of  my  staff,  I  feel  indebted 
for  their  promptness  and  activity  in  the  execution  of  my 
orders,  and  for  their  support  in  directing  the  operations  of 
the  day. 

In  a  conflict  continued  through  so  many  hours  and  so  hotly 
contested,  the  list  of  casualties  must  be  expected  to  be  large. 
Our  loss  in  killed  was  one  hundred  and  five,  wounded  four 
hundred  and  nineteen,  missing  one  hundred  and  seventeen. 
Total  six  hundred  and  forty-one. 

The  number  of  prisoners  taken  by  the  enemy,  as  shown 
by  their  list  furnished  us,  was  one  hundred  and  six,  all  of 
whom  have  been  returned  by  exchange. 

Of  the  enemy's  loss  we  have  no  means  of  accurate  infor- 
mation, but  from  all  the  sources  open  to  us,  the  condition  of 
the  field,  the  list  of  prisoners  taken  by  us,  the  report  of 
those  returned  to  us,  and  the  reports  of  the  enemy,  I  am 
satisfied  it  cannot  fall  short  of  fifteen  hundred ;  fourteen- 
fifteenths  of  that  number  must  have  been  killed,  wounded 
and  drowned. 

After  making  a  liberal  exchange  of  the  captured,  with  the 
enemy,  one  hundred  of  their  prisoners  remain  still  in  my 
hand.4-. 

I  have  also  a  stand  of  colors,  a  fraction  over  one  thousand 
stand  of  arms,  with  knapsacks,  ammunition  and  other  mili- 
tary stores. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  L.  POLK, 

Major  General  commanding. 
(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


REPORT   OF    BRIGADIER    GENERAL    GIDEON  J. 

PILLOW. 


Headquarters  1st  Division, 
Army  at  Columbus,  Nov.  10th,  1861. 

E.  D.  Blake,  Captain  C.  S.  A., 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Under  instructions  delivered  in  person  by  Major-General 
Polk,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  inst.,  I  crossed  to  the  village 
of  Belmont,  on  the  Missouri  shore,  four  Regiments  of  my 
division,  and  as  rapidly  as  possible  placed  them  in  position 
about  four  hundred  yards  from  the  river  bank,  in  line  with 
Col.  Tappan's  Regiment  and  Col.  Beltzhoover's  Battery,  to  re- 
ceive the  large  force  of  the  enemy  advancing  on  the  small 
encampment  at  that  place.  These  regiments,  from  measles, 
and  diseases  incident  to  the  Mississippi  bottom  and  absentees, 
had  been  reduced  to  below  five  hundred  men  for  duty,  as 
shown  by  the  daily  morning  report.  They  were  formed  into 
line  of  battle,  with  Col.  Wright's  Regiment  on  the  left  of  Col. 
Beltzhoover's  Battery,  and  with  Colonels  Picket,  Freeman, 
Tappan,  and  Russell's  Regiments  on  the  right  (the  last  now 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bell)  of  the  Battery. 
Their  Regiments,  all  told,  numberedabout  2,500  men.  Before 
the  line  of  batttlc  was  formed  I  advanced  three  companies  of 
skirmishers,  taken  from  the  Regiments  of  Colonels  Tappan, 
Pickett,  and  Freeman's,  under  the  command  of  Adjutant 
Stith,  of  Freeman's  Regiment,  to  check  the  advancing 
column  so  as  to  give  me  time  to  make  the  necessary  dis- 
positions for  battle.  Using  the  utmost  possible  despatch,  I 
had  barely  got  the  force  in  position,  when  the  skirmishers 
were  driven  in,  and  the  shock  took  place  between  the  opposing 
forces.  Had  I  been  less  pressed  for  time  to  make  the 
necesary  disposition  of  my  small  force,  my  imperfect  knowl- 
edge of  the  surroundings  of  the  field,  would  of  itself  have 


128 

embarrassed  me.  But  I  had  no  choice  of  position,  nor  time 
to  make  any  reconnoisance,  nor  even  satisfactory  disposition 
for  occupying  the  field  left  me.  When  the  conflict  com- 
menced and  both  lines  were  fairly  engaged,  I  soon  observed  the 
enemy's  cavalry  turning  my  left  flank,  and  hovering  around 
me,  closing  the  field  nearly  to  the  river.  Having  no  cavalry 
at  hand,  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  ordering  a  portion  of 
my  force  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  front  (weak  as  was  that 
force)  to  protect  mo  from  that  body  of  cavalry,  said  to  be 
four  hundred  and  fifty  strong.  For  this  purpose,  orders 
were  given  to  Col.  Wright  to  detach  one  company  of  his 
Regiment.  He  accordingly  assigned  this  duty  to  Company 
A,  then  commanded  by  Lieut.  Rhea.  Several  attempts  were 
made  by  the  enemy's  infantry  to  flank  my  right  and  left 
wings  ;  but  the  attempt  on  the  right  was  defeated  by  the 
deadly  fire  and  firm  attitude  of  that  wing,  comprised  of  the 
Regiments  of  Colonels  Russell  and  Tappan,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Russell,  as  Brigade  commander.  The  attempt  to 
turn  the  left  wing  was  defeated  by  the  destructive  fire  of 
Beltzhoover's  battery  and  Colonel  Wright's  Regiment,  aided 
by  a  line  of  felled  timber  extending  obliquely  from  the  left 
into  the  bottom.  In  these  attempts  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
movement  of  the  troops,  it  was  easy  to  see  that  his  force  was 
large  enough  to  have  surrounded  my  little  force  with  triple 
lines.  Failing  in  these  efforts  to  flank  my  position,  he 
pressed  heavily  forward  the  advanced  line  and  braced  it  firmly 
with  his  large  reserve.  I  advised  Major-General  Polk,  of 
my  position,  and  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  and  asked 
for  support  and  a  supply  of  ammunition,  which  was  becoming 
short  from  the  constant  and  heavy  fire  which  was  required 
to  check  the  advance  of  the  determined  foe. 

The  two  wings  of  the  line  stood  firm  and  unbroken  for 
several  hours,  but  the  center,  consisting  of  Colonels  Pickett 
and  Freeman's  Regiment  being  in  the  open  field,  and  greatly 
exposed,  once  or  twice  faltered ;  but  by  my  own,  and  the 
efforts  of  their  officers,  were  promptly  returned  to  their  origi- 
nal position,  and  continued  the  conflict.  At  length  Colonel 
Beltzhoover  reported  to  me,  that  his  ammunition  was  ex- 
hausted— Col.  Bell  had  previously  reported  his  regiment  out 
of  ammunition,  and  Colonel  Wright  that  one  Battalion  of  his 
regiment  had  exhausted  its  ammunition  I  directed  Colonel 
Beltzhoover  to  remove  his  guns  to  the  rear.  The  team  of 
one  gun  had  run  off  with  the  limber,  leaving  the  gun  in  its 
position  of  Battery.     The  others  were   drawn   to   the  river 


129 

bank,  and  Col.  Beltzhoovcr  applied  to  me  to  assist  him  in 
removing  the  gun  which  lie  could  not  remove.  I  rode  up  to 
the  right  wing  of  Col.  Wright's  Regiment  for  the  purpose  of 
directing  a  detail  of  men  to  remove  this  gun,  but  that  regi- 
ment was  so  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  were  in  such 
close  proximity  to  him,  that  I  thought  it  better  to  let  the  gun 
go,  even  if  it  should  be  ultimately  lost,  than  to  weaken  the 
small  force  which  then  held  in  check  the  enemy's  masses, 
pressing  heavily  upon  the  regiment.  My  battery  being  si- 
lenced for  want  of  ammunition,  and  one  regiment  and  a  bat- 
talion having  exhausted  its  supply,  and  the  enemy's  force 
being  unchecked,  and  now  emerging  into  the  edge  of  the 
field.  I  ordered  the  line  to  use  the  bayonet.  The  charge 
was  made  by  the  whole  line,  and  the  enemy  driven  back  into 
the  woods.  But  his  line  was  not  broken,  and  he  kept  up 
a  deadly  lire,  and  being  supported  by  his  large  reserve,  my 
line  was  forced  back  to  its  Original  position  while  that  of  the 
enemy  advanced.  The  charge  was  repeated  the  second  and 
third  time,  forcing  the  enemy's  line  heavily  against  his  re- 
serve, but  with  like  result.  Finding  it  impossible  longer  to 
maintain  my  position  without  reinforcements  and  ammuni- 
tion, I  ordered  the  whole  line  to  fall  back  to  the  river 
bank.  In  this  movement  my  line  was  more  or  less  broken 
and  my  corps  mingled  together,  so  that  when  we  reached  the 
river  bank  it  had  the  appearance  of  a  mass  of  men  rather 
than  an  organised  corps.  On  my  arrival  in  the  rear  of  the 
Command,  1  met  Col.  J.  K.  Walker,  (of  my  own  Division,) 
with  his  regiment,  coming  to  my  support.  I  ordered  him  to 
advance  his  regiment  as  promptly  as  possible,  to  eheck  the 
advance  of  the  enemy's  force  ami  hold  him  hack,  so  as  to 
give  mi'  time  to  move  the  Force  up  the  river  bank,  and  to 
form  the  command;  and  said  to  him  that  I  would  cross  through 

the  fallen  timber,  turn  the  cm  mv  S    position  and  attack  him 

in  the  rear.  Col.  Walker's  regiment  promptly  advanced, 
with  the  enemy's  force  in  the  open  field.  ,.nd  held  him  im 
check  until  hi-  line  of  fire  and  A  rtillery  had  cut  down  a  large 
portion  of  the  regiment,  when  it  was  forced  hack  and  shel- 
tered itself  under  the  bank  of  the  river,  from  which  position 
tin-  regimen!  kept  up  a  constanl  fire,  while  it  moved  by  the 
flank  up  the  river  bank.  When  the  enemy's  force  reached 
the  bank  of  the    river,  he    was   met    by  the    fire    of  Captain 

Smith's  Battery ,  (of  General  Cheatham's  Division.)  from  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  which  being  well  directed,  together 
9 


130 

with  that  of  the  heavy  guns  from  the  works  above  Columbus, 
made  him  recoil  from  the  front. 

In  the  meantime,  I  had  advanced  the  main  body  of  my 
original  force  in  broken  order  up  the  river,  to  a  point  where 
I  could  cross  through  the  fallen  timber,  to  make  the  flank 
movement.  There  I  met  Col.  Marks's,  (of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral J.  P.  McCown's  Division),  and  Col.  Carroll's,  (of  my 
own  Division),  Regiments,  ordered  by  Major  General  Polk, 
to  my  support.  I  immediately  placed  these  fresh  troops 
under  command  of  the  gallant  old  veteran  Col.  Marks,  at  the 
head  of  the  column,  and  directed  him  to  lead  the  advance  in 
double-quick  time,  through  the  woods,  and  to  the  enemy's 
rear,  and  to  attack  him  with  vigor,  telling  him  that  I  would 
support  the  movement  with  all  the  forces  formerly  engaged, 
though  from  their  conflict  of  four  hours  with  such  superior 
numbers,  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  they  could  act 
with  the  same  vigor  as  the  fresh  troops.  In  this  movement 
I  directed  Col.  Russell,  who  was  commanding  a  Brigade,  and 
who  had  throughout  the  day  promptly  executed  all  my  01*- 
ders,  and  aided  me  with  dispositions  and  movements,  to  rally 
and  push  forward  his  command  to  the  support  of  Col.  Marks's 
attacking  column.  My  brave  young  friend,  Captain  W.  H. 
Jackson,  who  reported  to  me  for  duty  on  my  staff,  (being 
wholly  unable  to  get  his  light  battery  on  shore,)  I  directed 
to  lead  this  column  against  the  enemy's  rear. 

The  movement  was  promptly  and  gallantly  made,  and  was 
a  complete  success.  The  enemy  finding  himself  between  two 
fires,  that  of  Smith's  Artillery  in  front,  and  of  Colonels 
Marks's  and  Russell's  column  in  the  rear,  after  a  feeble  re- 
sistance, broke  and  fled  in  great  disorder,  and  was  hotly  pur- 
sued by  our  troops.  The  brave  General  Cheatham  now 
havino-  reached  that  part  of  the  field,  by  his  presence  added 
new  vigor  to  the  pursuit. 

The  enemy's  forces  were  cut  to  pieces  by  a  destructive 
fire  until  they  had  reached  a  point  far  in  the  bottom,  when 
General  Cheatham  thought  it  prudent  to  halt  the  column, 
and  to  bring  up  his  brigade  which  was  on  the  way.  Having 
returned  to  the  river  bank  for  that  purpose,  where  he  met 
General  Polk,  bringing  with  him  Colonel  Smith's  Brigade 
of  General  Cheatham's  Division,  who  had  now  arrived,  Gen- 
eral Polk  ordered  the  pursuit  continued  with  the  whole 
force  accompanying  the  pursuing  column  himself  until  we 
reached  the  point  where  the  enemy  had  made  his  surgical 
headquarters,  and  depository  of  stores  of  ammunition,  bag- 


131 

gage,  etc.  Here  we  found  a  yard  full  of  knapsacks,  arms, 
ammunition,  blankets,  overcoats,  mess-chest,  horses,  wagons, 
and  dead  and  wounded  men,  with  surgeons,  engaged  in  the 
appropriate  duties  of  their  profession.  The  enemy's  route 
of  retreat  was  strewn  likewise  with  many  of  these  articles, 
and  abundantly  with  blood,  dead  and  wounded  men.  The 
pursuit  was  continued  under  the  immediate  command  and 
direction  of  Major  General  Polk,  until  we  came  in  sight  of 
the  enemy's  gun-boats  and  transports. 

Upon  reaching  the  new  field  of  duty,  by  direction  of  the 
Major  General  I  ordered  the  victorious  commands  as  they 
arrived  to  move  as  rapidly  as  possible  through  the  corn-field, 
to  the  bank  of  the  river,  directing  the  different  corps  enter- 
ing opposite  the  ground  they  would  occupy  on  the  river 
bank,  and  lining  the  bank  for  more  than  a  mile,  when  being 
in  position  they  should  open  their  fire  on  the  troops,  and  as 
the  boats  passed  up  the  river  to  give  the  enemy  their  fire. 

I  need  not  say  that  this  whole  movemeut  was  admirably 
executed.  When  the  fire  opened  it  was  so  hot  and  destruc 
tive  that  the  troops  on  the  boats  rushed  to  the  opposite  side 
of  the  boats,  and  had  to  be  forced  back  by  the  bayonet  to 
prevent  capsizing.  They  did  not  take  time  to  unloose  the 
cable,  but  cut  all  loose,  and  were  compelled  to  run  through 
the  fire  of  sharp  shooters,  lining  the  bank  for  more  than  a 
mile. 

I  also  directed  Captain  Taylor's  company  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Logwood's  Battalion,  (Tennessee  Volunteers,)  with  whom 
was  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  to  pursue  up  the  river  bank,  the 
enemy's  Cavalry,  Battery,  and  two  thousand  of  his  Infantry. 
that  could  not  be  taken  on  board  in  their  distressed  condi- 
tion. These  last  were  so  fleet  of  heel,  and  had  got  so  good 
a  start,  that  the  Cavalry  could  only  overtake  the  stragglers 
and  slow  of  foot,  many  of  whom  were  made  prisoners. 
These  fine  horsemen  and  admirable  marksmen,  could  not  re- 
turn, however,  from  such  a  pursuit,  without  delivering,  with 
rifles,  vollies  of  salutes  to  their  Northern  brethren,  with 
whom  they  so  much  regretted  to  part,  and  whose  better  ac- 
quaintance they  sought  to  make. 

Thus  ended  the  day,  so  glorious  to  our  arms,  that  its  re- 
fulgence will  be  seen  by  the  descendants  of  the  gallant  men 
who  formed  the  army,  long  after  their  remains  shall  have 
mouldered  into  dust,  and  all  else  lost  in  oblivion  except  the 
memory  of  their  glorious  deeds. 

That  the  small  Spartan   army,  which  withstood  the  con- 


132 

stunt  fire  of  three  times  their  number,  for  nearly  four  hours, 
(a  large  portion  of  them  being  without  ammunition,)  did  its 
duty  gallantly,  is  manifest  from  the  length  and  character  of 
the  conflict,  the  great  inequality  of  numbers,  and  the  result. 

That  the  officers  were  all  at  their  posts,  nobly  meeting  all 
their  responsibilities  is  proven  by  the  fact,  that  the  field 
officers  were  nearly  all  dismounted,  some  of  them  having 
had  two  horses  killed  under  them.  In  the  case  of  Colonel 
Beltzhoover,  whose  guns  were  lost,  I  deem  it  proper  to  say, 
that,  when  his  ammunition  was  exhausted,  I  ordered  him  to 
take  his  guns  from  the  field.  He  brought  them  (all  except 
one)  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  under  a  fire  of  the  enemy 
which  it  was  easier  to  face  than  retire  from.  The  gun  he  had 
no  means  of  removing  was  committed  to  my  charge.  He 
fought  his  guns  gallantly  until  all  his  ammunition  was  ex- 
hausted, and  then  removed  them,  with  the  retiring  force,  as 
far  as  it  was  possible  to  remove  them  on  the  bank  of 
the  river.  They  were  then  abandoned.  He  had  45  of  his 
horses  killed,  and  all  wounded  except  one.  This  is  the 
highest  vindication  of  his  almost  uneqalled  gallantry.  I 
am  happy  to  say,  however,  that  we  recaptured  all  of  those 
guns  but  two,  and  captured  one  of  the  enemy's  guns.  We 
likewise  captured  arms,  ammunition,  knapsacks,  ambulances, 
mess  chests,  and  portfolios  of  general  officers,  surgical  in- 
struments, and  all  the  vast  paraphernalia  of  an  army  nearly 
sufficient  for  the  wants  of  a  new  army  In  such  a  conflict 
of  arms;  illustrating  so  fully  the  superior  mettle  of  the 
Southern  soldier — a  conflict  in  which  all  did  their  duty  it  is 
impossible  to  discriminate.  To  mention  individual  officers  or 
men,  who  distinguished  themselves,  would  require  a  cata- 
logue of  the  whole.  I  must  content  myself  by  referring 
the  Major  General  to  the  reports  of  Colonels  and  Brigade 
Commanders. 

To  the  noble  dead,  who  have  sacrificed  their  lives  in  vin- 
dication of  the  honor  and  rights  of  their  country  on  the 
bloody  field  of  Belmont,  we  may  be  excused  for  paying  a 
last  tribute  of  respect.  They  died  like  heroes.  Many  of 
them  falling,  were  seen  still  fighting  until  overwhelmed  by 
superior  numbers.  Their  noble  spirits  deparated  to  Him 
who  presided  over  the  bloody  field  and  crowned  our  arms 
with  a  victory,  scarcely  having  a  parallel  in  history. 

I  am  reluctant  to  close  this  report  without  special  notice 
of  my  personal  staff,  more  especially  since  they  have  no  one 
else  by  whom  testimony  to  their  good  behavior  and  gallant 


133 

conduct  can  be  borne.  Major  Finnie,  my  Division  Quarter- 
master, and  Captain  Jackson,  commanding  one  of  my  splen- 
did batteries,  but,  in  the  action,  on  duty  on  my  staff,  wete 
dangerously  wounded  while  executing  my  orders.  Captain 
Jackson's  horse  received  six  balls  at  the  time  he  was  himself 
wounded.  Major  Henry,  my  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 
had  two  horses  killed  under  him.  Captain  Bethel's  horse 
was  wounded.  Lieutenant  Pillow,  my  son,  had  his  horse 
killed.  Lieutenant  Long,  one  of  my  aids-de-camp,  alone 
escaped  untouched.  Colonel  Birch,  my  legal  aid,  was  ab- 
sent, under  my  orders,  upon  important  business  connected 
with  this  department  of  the  service.  These  facts  prove 
them  to  have  been  at  the  post  of  duty.  I  need  not  add  that 
they  rendered  me  important  aid  in  my  trying  and  responsi- 
ble position.  The  fact  of  two  of  them  being  cut  down,  and 
the  others  dismounted,  placed  me,  for  a  large  portion  of  the 
conflict,  in  a  position  not  a  little  embarrassing  for  want  cf 
staff  officers.  I  must  also  acknowledge  the  very  valuable 
assistance  I  received  from  Major  Winslow,  aid-de-camp  to 
Major  General  Polk,  who  reported  to  me  for  duty,  and  who 
was  active  and  efficient  in  bearing  my  orders  the  balance  of 
the  day,  in  doing  which  he  was  greatly  exposed.  Small 
portions  of  the  Mississippi  and  Tennessee  Cavalry,  forming 
a  portion  of  this  army,  reached  me  late  in  the  conflict,  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Logwood,  and  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Miller  accompanying  the  command,  and  reported 
with  a  small  command,  upon  my  arrival  upon  the  bank  of 
the  river,  and  were  promptly  placed  in  position  to  meet  the 
enemy's  cavalry  on  the  left.  From  this  portion  of  the  line 
I  received  no  further  trouble,  and,  though  no  general  conflict 
took  place  with  the  enemy,  it  was,  doubtless,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  he  did  not  choose  to  accept  a  trial  of  strength  at 
their  hands. 

Having  spoken  in  wonis  of  not  undeserved  praise  of  the 
heroic  little  army  that  withstood  for  four  hours  throe  times 
their  numbers  of  the  picked  troops  of  the  enemy,  and  of 
those  brave  officers  and  men  (if  Generals  Cheatham  and 
M<-<  !own*8  Division,  whose  good  fortune  it  was  to  part  icipate 
in  that  brilliant  achievement,  ain'  of  the  timely  aid  rendered 
from  the  field  and  fixed  batteries  already  mentioned,  I  must 
lie  permitted  to  ascribe  the  glorious  resultB,  full  of  miracu- 
lous incidents,  to  the  over-ruling  providence  of  a  merciful 
God,  and  to  acknowledge,  thus  officially  and  publicly,  mv 
profound  consciousness  of   His  sustaining  power  over  mv 


134 

own  heart  and  resolution  of  purpose,  and  in  shielding  my 
person  from  the  many  perils  with  which  my  pathway  through 
this  dark  and  bloody  field  Avas  beset. 

That  our  loss  should  have  been  severe  in  such  a  conflict, 
might  be  expected.  That  of  the  enemy's  was  more 
than  treble  ours.  Of  this  we  had  the  most  abundant  evi- 
dence in  the  incidents  of  the  field,  in  his  flight,  and  his 
helpless  condition,  when  assailed  in  his  crowded  transports 
with  the  fire  of  thousands  of  deadly  rifles. 

I  transmit  herewith  a  list  of  our  killed,  wounded  and 
missing,  numbering  632.  Of  this  number  562  were  of  my 
own  division  and  Tappan's  Regiment,  which  constituted  the 
force  originally  engaged. 

We  have  no  means  of  knowing  accurately  the  loss  of  the 
enemy,  but  we  buried  of  the  enemy  295.  The  enemy,  under 
a  flag  of  truce,  were  engaged  at  the  same  labor  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  day.  We  have  near  200  Federal  prisoners 
wounded,  and  the  enemy  had  seven  ambulances  (which  we 
captured)  actually  engaged  in  taking  their  wounded  from 
their  surgical  headquarters  to  their  boats  while  the  action 
was  progressing.  We  have  the  most  unquestionable  infor- 
mation from  persons  who  were  in  Cairo  when  the  Federal  fleet 
returned,  who  state  that  the  enemy  were  a  day  and  a  half 
removing  and  burying  their  dead  and  wounded  from  their 
boats.  And  all  accounts  from  Cairo,  and  from  persons  who 
were  on  the  boats  during  our  fire,  represent  the  fire  on  the 
enemy  huddled  on  the  transports  was  more  destructive  than 
that  of  any  part  of  the  battle.  A  Captain  of  one  of  the 
transports  of  the  enemy's  expedition  represents  the  loss  to 
be  1,800  or  2,000  men.  With  these  sources  of  information, 
and  all  the  light  these  afford,  I  think  the  enemy's  loss  could 
not  be  less  than  2,000  men. 

(Signed  )  GID.  J.  PILLOW, 

Brigadier  General,  C.  S.  A. 

(Official.)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  B.  F.  CHEAT- 
HAM. 


Headquarters,  Camp  Moore,  } 
November  8th,  1861.      $ 

Capt.  E.  D.  Blake, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- General : 

Sir:  In  obedience  to  the  order  of  Major-General  Polk,  I 
herewith  transmit  a  report  of  the  operations  of  the  forces 
under  my  command,  in  the  engagement  opposite  Columbus, 
on  the  7th  instant. 

I  remained  with  Major-General  Polk,  near  the  Battery  on 
the  hill,  until  the  hour  of  10,  A.  M.,  when  under  his  orders 
I  rejoined  my  own  division,  having  previously  placed  it  in 
position,  and  awaited  orders  from  him.  At  about  the  hour 
of  twelve-and-a-half,  P.  M.,  I  received  orders  from  Major- 
General  Polk  to  bring  forward  to  the  river  one  of  my  bri- 
gades, and  immediately  advanced  to  that  position  the  1st 
Brigade,  Col.  Preston  Smith  commanding,  composed  of  the 
154th  Sr.  Regiment  Tennessee  Volunteers,  commanded  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Marcus  J.  Wright,  and  the  Regiment  of  Missis- 
sippi Volunteers,  commanded  by  Colonel  A.  K.  Blythe. 
Carrying  the  2d  Brigade  of  my  division,  composed  of  the  6th 
and  9th  Regiments  Tennessee  Volunteers,  Col.  Win.  H. 
Stephens  commanding,  in  possession  of  the  right  of  our  lines, 
which  position  was  occupied  by  this  Brigade  during  the  entire 
day.  On  my  arrival  at  the  river  bank,  fronting  the  town, 
my  command  was  drawn  up  preparatory  to  crossing  to  the 
opposite  shore.  Just  at  this  time  the  enemy  obtained  posses- 
sion of  the  field  and  camp,  but  recently  occupied  by  the  13th 
Arkansas  Regiment,  Capt.  Beltzhoover's  Light  Battery,  and 
drove  our  troops  under  the  river  bank,  and  up  the  stream  to 
a  point  opposite  the  position   occupied  by  the  troops  under 


136 

my  command,  and  brought  forward  their  batteries  close  up 
to  the  river  bank,  end  opened  a  brisk  cannonade  upon  my 
troops  and  the  steamers  detailed  to  transport  the  command 
across  the  river;  seeing  the  impracticability  of  throwing  the 
troops  across  the  river  at  this  time,  resulting  from  the  con- 
fusion of  the  transports  under  fire,  their  embarkation  was 
suspended  for  a  short  time,  and  under  the  orders  of  Major- 
General  Polk,  I  proceeded  with  my  staff  aboard  the  steamboat 
"  Prince"  to  cross  over  and  rally  the  large  body  of  troops 
then  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  attack  the  enemy 
in  the  flank.  Just  as  I  was  in  the  act  of  going  aboard  the 
steamer,  not  willing  to  loose  the  service  of  either  one  of  my 
staff,  I  dispatched  Lieut.  Col.  Ashford,  late  of  the  2d  Regi- 
ment Tennessee  Volunteers,  to  inform  Major-General  Polk 
that  I  had  placed  the  Battery  of  Captain  Melancthon  Smith 
of  the  2d  Brigade  of  my  division  in  the  rear  of  the  town, 
near  the  hospital,  and  to  request  him  to  send  an  order  to 
Captain  Smith  to  advance  his  Battery  to  the  river  near  the 
mill,  and  shell  the  camp  and  field  before  mentioned,  and  at 
this  time  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  I  am  happy  to 
inform  you  that  the  order  was  executed  in  the  most  gallant 
and  effective  manner,  and  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  gen- 
eral success  of  the  day.  Upon  my  arrival  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  I  found  the  fragments  of  the  13th  Regiment 
Arkansas  Volunteers,  Col.  Tappan,  2d  Regiment  Tennessee 
Volunteers,  Col.  Walker,  and  13th  Regiment  Tennessee  Vol- 
unteers, Col.  John  V.  Wright,  formed  and  anxious  to  again 
confront  the  enemy.  These  Regiments,  with  others,  had 
already  suffered  severely  in  the  engagement  of  the  forenoon. 
In  a  feAv  minutes  these  three  Regiments  formed  in  line  under 
my  direction,  the  13th  Arkansas  in  front,  followed  by  the  2d 
and  13th  Tennessee,  and  moved  directly  back  from  the  river 
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  transports  and  gun-boats  in- 
tending, if  possible,  to  take  them  in  flank.  Advancing  about 
a  half  mile,  I  suddenly  came  upon  about  fifty  mounted  men, 
who  were  hailed  and  found  to  be  Illinois  cavalry,  and  at  the 
same  moment  and  immediately  in  front  I  discovered  a  large 
body  of  troops,  the  7th  Iowa  and  Col.  Logan's  Illinois  Regi- 
ment drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  I  immediately  ordered  my 
column  forward  and  formed  a  line  in  a  small  ravine,  the  13th 
Arkansas  on  the  right,  flanked  by  the  2d  and  13th  Tennessee, 
with  some  detached  companies  from  other  Regiments,  and  at 
once  opened  upon  the  enemy  a  most  terrific  fire,  and  which 
they  promptly  returned,  but  under  the  rapid  and  galling  fire 


137 

of  our  column,  the  enemy  soon  wavered  and  were  charged 
upon  with  the  bayonet,  and  completely  routed,  and  under 
the  continuous  fire  from  our  column  in  pursuit,  were  slaugh- 
tered from  that  point  to  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  their 
gun-boats,  lying  more  than  two  miles  from  the  position  in 
which  we  engaged  them.  Here  it  was  that  Capt.  J.  Welby 
Armstrong  fell,  while  gallantly  calling  to  his  men  to  follow 
him  in  the  pursuit  of  the  dismayed  and  retreating  foe. 

In  this  engagement,  we  recaptured  several  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, took  forty  of  the  enemy  as  prisoners,  besides  a  large 
number  killed  and  wounded.  After  the  rout  began,  I  sent 
forward  with  the  troops,  my  Adjutant  General,  James  D. 
Porter,  Jr.,  and  returned  in  the  direction  of  Columbus  to 
meet  my  own  command,  for  which  I  had  sent  my  Aid-de- 
Camp,  Major  F.  IT.  McMairy,  so  soon  as  I  discovered  the 
enemy  posted  in  front.  On  my  arrival  near  the  river,  I  met 
Major  General  Polk,  and  reported  in  person  the  rout  of  the 
enemy  and  the  successful  operations  of  the  forces  under  my 
command. 

Col.  Smith,  in  the  meantime,  had  succeeded  in  crossing 
the  river  with  his  brigade,  and  I  immediately  ordered  him 
forward,  at  double-quick,  hoping  to  arrest  the  flying  column 
of  the  enemy.  On  arriving  at  the  dwelling-house,  used  by 
the  enemy  as  hospital  for  the  wounded,  Gen.  Polk  came  up 
with  the  head  of  the  column,  and  remained  with  it  until  we 
arrived  at  a  point  directly  opposite  the  gunboats  of  the  en- 
emy, when,  under  his  order,  I  directed  Col.  Smith  to  move 
the  heads  of  his  command  to  the  river  above  the  boats  of  the 
enemy,  and,  facing  by  the  rear  rank,  throw  his  left  below 
them.  Seeing  the  boats  in  the  act  of  moving  off,  Lieut.  Col. 
Wright  moved  the  right  wing  of  the  154th  to  the  right,  and 
immediately  in  front  of  the  enemy,  and  finding  them  hurry- 
ing on  board,  deployed  his  command  as  skirmishers,  and 
opened  a  destructive  fire  on  the  enemy.  The  left  wing  of  the 
154th  with  Col.  Blythe's  Mississippi  Regiment,  both  under 
Col.  Smith,  charged  doAvn  on  the  retreating  boats  and  opened 
fire  upon  them.  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  of  the  1st  Battalion 
Mississippi  Cavalry,  with  a  part  of  his  command  joined  us 
here,  and  having  dismounted  his  command  rendered  import- 
ant service  in  the  attack  on  the  gunboats.    Before  making  the 

attack  on  the  enemy's  boats,   1    detailed    ('apt.   Fitzgerald,   of 

Company  F,  151th  Regiment,  with  sixteen  men  as  skirmish- 
ers, who,  after  the  attack,  rejoined  the  command,  having 
killed  three  of  the  enemy  and  captured  eight  prisoners;  these, 


138 

with  four  captured  by  Lieut.  Col.  Wright's  command,  were 
delivered  over  to  the  proper  authorities.  I  have  no  means 
of  ascertaining  the  amount  of  injury  inflicted  on  the  enemy 
in  this  attack  on  his  transports,  but  conclude  from  the  cool- 
ness and  deliberation  of  my  men  in  taking  their  aim,  that 
the  slaughter  must  have  been  considerable.  On  my  return 
from  the  attack  on  the  gunboats,  I  detailed  a  force  to  bring 
in  the  wounded  and  prisoners.  I  also  ordered  Capt  White, 
of  the  Tennessee  Cavalry,  to  proceed  down  the  lake  and 
look  after  a  body  of  the  enemy  who  were  supposed  to  have 
retired  in  that  direction.  He  reported  on  the  following  morn- 
ing that  he  captured  eight  prisoners.  In  concluding  this 
report,  I  beg  leave  to  return,  through  the  Major  General 
commanding,  my  thanks  to  the  officers  and  men  under  my 
command  for  the  coolness,  courage,  and  gallantry  exhibited 
in  the  engagement  at  Belmont.  To  the  two  gentlemen  com- 
posing my  staff,  Maj.  Porter  and  Maj.  McMairy,  I  am  much 
indebted  for  their  zeal,  promptness,  and  gallantry  on  the 
field,  as  I  am,  also,  to  John  J.  Campbell  and  Abbot  L.  Rob- 
ertson, two  young  gentlemen,  members  of  my  military  fam- 
ily, acting  as  volunteer  aids,  both  boys  in  years,  yet  exhib- 
iting the  spirit  of  veterans.  For  a  detailed  report  of  the 
operations  of  my  own  division  of  the  army,  I  refer  you  to 
the  copies  of  Col.  Preston  Smith,  commanding  the  First 
Brigade,  Col.  W.  H.  Stephens,  commanding  the  Second 
Brigade,  Lt.  Col.  John  H.  Miller,  commanding  the  First 
Mississippi  Battalion  of  Cavalry,  herewith  forwarded. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  B.  F.  CHEATHAM, 

Brigadier  General  commanding  Second  Division. 

(Official,)  R.  H.  Chilton, 

A.  A.  General. 


Committee  Room,  > 

4th  February,  1S62.  ) 

To  the  Honorable  the  Piesident  of  the  Provisional  Congress  : 

Sir:  The  Committee  on  Military  Affairs  have  examined 
the  report  of  the  battle  of  Chustenahlah,  made  by  Colonel 
(now  General)  James  Mcintosh,  as  also  the  reports  of  the 
officers  subordinate  to  him  in  that  most  brilliant  affair. 

The  Committee  direct  me  to  report  the  same  back  to  the 
Congress,  with  the  recommendation  that  the  report  of  Col. 
Mcintosh  be  published. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  obedient,  &c,  &c., 

W.  B.  OCHILTREE, 
One  of  the  Commit t  e. 


[Copy.] 

REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHUSTENAHLAH, 
WHICH  TOOK  PLACE  IN  THE  CHEROKEE 
NATION  ON  THE  26th  OF  DECEMBER,  1861— 
JAMES   McINTOSH,  COLONEL  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Division,  Van  Buren,      ) 
Arkansas,  January   1st,  1862.       ) 


General 


I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
battle  of  Chustenahlah,  which  took  place  in  the  Cherokee 
Nation  on  the  26th  December,  1861. 

Before  entering  upon  the  details  of  the  battle,  it  is  neces- 
sary for  me  to  state  that  I  entered  the  Cherokee  Nation  with 
a  portion  of  my  Division  upon  the  representation  of  Col. 
Cooper,  commanding  the  Indian  Department,  calling  upon 
me  for  additional  force.  This  call  was  based  upon  the  hos- 
tile stand  taken  by  the  Creek  Chief  Opoth-lay-oho-la,  and  the 
disaffection  which  has  sprung  up  in  one  of  the  Cherokee 
Regiments.  I  hastened  to  Fort  Gibson  with  one  thousand 
six  hundred  men,  had  an  interview  with  Col.  Cooper,  and 
entered  into  arrangements  for  mutual  co-operation.  The 
plan  proposed  was,  that  Col.  Cooper,  with  his  force  strength- 
ened by  Major  Whitfield's  Battalion,  should  move  up  the 
Arkansas  river,  and  endeavor  to  get  in  the  rear  of  Opoth- 
lay-oho-la's  position,  on  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Verdi- 
gris river,  near  the  "  Big-Bend"  of  the  Arkansas — while 
my  force  should  march  up  the  Verdigris  river,  opposite  the 
position  held  by  the  enemy,  and  then  move  directly  upon 
him.  On  account  of  the  scarcity  of  forage,  it  was  mutually 
determined  that  either  force  should  attack  the  enemy  on 
sight.  I  left  Fort  Gibson  at  12  M.  on  the  22d  ult.,  with 
the  following  force : 


141 

Five  companies  of  the  South  Kansas-Texas  Regiment, 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Lane.  The  available  strength  of 
the  6th  Regiment  of  Texas  Cavalry,  under  Lieut.  Colonel 
Griffith. 

Seven  companies  of  the  3d  Regiment  of  Texas  Cavalry, 
commanded  by  Col.  Young. 

Four  companies  of  my  own  regiment,  2d  Arkansas, 
mounted  riflemen,  under  Capt.  Gibson,  and  Capt.  Bennett's 
company  of  Texas,  attached  to  the  headquarters  of  the  Di- 
vision. 

This  force  amounted  to  one  thousand  three  hundred  and 
eighty  men,  (1,380).  On  the  evening  of  the  25th  ult.,  a 
part  of  the  enemy's  force  appeared  in  sight,  immediately 
after  our  arrival  in  camp.  A  regiment  was  sent  to  observe 
them.  I  soon  became  satisfied  that  this  party  was  endeav- 
oring to  lead  us  on  a  fruitless  chase.  I  therefore  restrained 
my  impatient  men,  and  ordered  them  back  to  camp.  During 
the  evening  an  Express  reached  me  from  Col.  Cooper,  with 
the  intelligence  that  it  would  probably  be  two  or  three  days 
before  he  could  make  the  preconcerted  movement,  on  ac- 
count of  the  desertion  of  his  teamsters,  and  generously 
stated  that  if  I  found  it  necessary  to  advance,  he  would  give 
me  all  the  assistance  in  his  power.  From  this  point,  know- 
ing it  was  impossible  to  move  my  train  further,  I  ordered  it 
to  remain  in  charge  of  Captain  Elstner,  Acting  Brigade 
Quartermaster,  with  a  guard  of  one  hundred  men,  with  four 
days  cooked  rations.  I  left  camp  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  36th,  and  moved  cautiously  towards  the  stronghold  of  the 
enemy  among  the  mountains,  running  back  into  the  "Big 
Bend"  of  the  Arkansas.  Lieut.  Col.  Lane,  with  his  regi- 
ment, moved  in  advance.  A  company  of  his  regiment  under 
Capt.  Short,  was  thrown  forward  as  an  advance  guard,  with 
orders  to  throw  out  flankers  well  to  the  right  and  left.  To- 
wards 12  M.  we  approached  Shoal  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the 
Verdigris.  As  soon  as  ('apt.  Short  had  crossed  the  stream, 
a  heavy  and  continuous  firing  was  opened  upon  him.  The 
company  gallantly  maintained  its  position.  I  immediately 
ordered  Lieut.  Col.  Griffith,  with  his  regiment,  to  move  up 
on  the  right,  and  Col.  Young  on  the  left.  The  center.  Gom- 
el of  Lieut.  Col.  Lane's  regiment,  Oapt.  Bennett's  com- 
pany, and  the  detachment  of  the  2d  Regiment  of  Arkansas 
Mounted  Riflemen,  then  moved  forward,  and  crossed  the 
stream  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  in  large  numbers,  posted  to 
the  right,  on  a  high  and    rugged   hill,  with   its  side  covered 


142 

with  oak  trees.  The  enemy  continued  their  fire  upon  us. 
Col.  Young  promptly  crossed  the  stream,  and  formed  upon 
the  left  of  the  center,  which  was  already  in  line  of  battle. 
Lieut.  Col.  Griffith,  with  his  regiment,  was  ordered  to  march 
up  the  stream  which  flowed  at  the  base  of  the  hill  on  which 
the  enemy  was  posted,  and  after  coming  opposite  their  left 
flank,  to  dismount,  cross  the  stream,  and  attack  him  in  the 
flank.  All  these  orders  were  promptly  and  efficiently  exe- 
cuted, and  the  whole  force  ready  for  action.  The  enemy 
was  in  a  very  strong  position,  and  from  it,  observed  our  ac- 
tions, in  happy  innocence  of  the  gallant  resolve  which  ani- 
mated the  hearts  of  those  in  the  valley  below  them.  The 
Seminoles,  under  the  celebrated  Chief  Halek  Tustenuggee, 
were  in  front  on  foot,  posted  behind  the  trees  and  rocks, 
while  others  were  in  line  near  the  summit  of  the  hill. 

Opoth-lay-oho-la's  Creeks  were  beyond,  on  horseback.  A 
feAV  representations  of  other  tribes  were  also  in  the  battle. 
The  whole  force  was  estimated  at  1700.  Between  the  rough 
and  rugged  side  of  the  hill,  a  space  of  two  or  three  hundred 
yards  intervened  of  open  ground ;  each  tree  on  the  hill-side 
screened  a  stalwart  warrior — it  seemed  a  deperate  underta- 
king to  charge  a  position  which  appeared  almost  inaccessible, 
but  the  order,  charge  to  the  top  of  tlie  hill,  met  a  responsive 
feeling  fiom  each  gallant  heart  in  the  line,  and  at  12,  M., 
the  charge  was  sounded.  One  wild  yell  from  a  thousand 
throats  burst  rpon  the  air,  and  the  living  mass  hurled  itself 
upon  the  foe.  The  sharp  report  of  the  rifle  came  from  every 
tree  and  rock ;  but  on  our  brave  men  rushed,  nor  stopped 
until  the  summit  of  the  1  ill  was  gained,  and  we  were  min- 
gled with  the  enemy.  The  South  Kansas-Texas  Regiment 
led  by  those  gallant  officers,  Col.  Lane  and  Maj.  Chilton, 
breasted  itself  for  the  highest  point  of  the  hill,  and  rushed 
over  its  rugged  side  with  the  irresistable  force  of  a  tornado, 
and  swept  every  thing  before  it.  The  brave  Major  Chiltcn 
while  approaching  the  summit  of  the  hill,  received  a  severe 
wound  in  the  head,  but  with  unabated  vigor  continued  in  the 
fight.  Capt.  Bennett,  with  his  company  and  the  detachments 
of  the  2nd  Regiment,  Arkansas  Mounted  Riflemen,  under 
Capt.  Gipson,  gallantly  charged  side  by  side.  Capt.  Gipson 
was  ordered  to  dismount  his  command  and  move  into  a  thicket 
into  which  he  had  driven  a  portion  of  the  enemy,  which  he 
did  promptly  and  with  great  execution.  After  charging 
some  distance  on  the  extreme  right,  the  gallant  Col.  Young 
observing  that  the  enemy  were  moving  to  the  more  rugged 


143 

part  of  the  field  of  battle  on  the  left,  with  ready  foresight, 
rapidly  moved  his  regiment  to  that  portion  of  the  field,  and 
succeeded  in  cutting  off  many  of  the  enemy.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Griffith  having  obeyed  the  first  order  given  him,  ob- 
serving the  enemy  flying  from  the  hill,  rapidly  mouted  his 
command  and  moved  up  the  stream  ;  crossed  it  seme  distance 
above  and  gallantly  encountered  the  enemy,  who  had  made 
a  stand  near  their  principal  encampment.  The  enemy  by 
this  time  were  much  scattered,  and  had  retreated  to  the  rocky 
gorges  amid  the  deep  recesses  of  the  mountains,  where  they 
were  pursued  by  our  victorious  troops,  and  routed  in  every 
instance  with  great  less. 

They  endeavored  to  make  a  stand  at  their  encampment, 
but  their  efforts  were  ineffectual ,  and  we  were  soon  in  the 
midst  of  it.  Property  of  every  description  was  scattered 
around  The  battle  lasted  until  four  o'clock,  when  the  firing 
gradually  ceased,  and  Ave  remained  victors  in  the  centre  of 
Opoth-lay-oho-la's  camp. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  enemy  was  very  severe.  Their 
killed  amounted  to  upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Our  loss  was  eight  killed,  and  thirty-two  wounded.  The 
brave  and  gallant  Lieut.  Fitzhue  was  shot  in  the  head,  and 
fell  while  gallantly  leading  his  company. 

Capt.  J.  D.  Young,  of  Young's  Regiment,  and  Lieut.  Dur- 
ham, of  the  South  Kansas-Texas  Regiment,  were  both  wound- 
ed while  in  the  thickest  of  the  battle.  We  captured  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  women  and  children,  twenty  negroes,  thirty 
-wagons,  seventy  yoke  of  oxen,  about  five  hundred  Indian 
horses,  several  hundered  head  of  cattle,  one  hundred  sheep 
and  a  great  quantity  of  property  of  much  value  to  the  enemy. 
The  stronghold  of  Opoth-lay-oho-la  was  completely  broken 
up  and  his  force  scattered  in  every  direction,  destitute  of  the 
simplest  elements  of  subsistence. 

At  4  o'clock  the  rally  was  sounded,  and  the  different  com- 
mands went  into  camp  on  the  battle  field.  The  dead  and 
wounded  were  collected  and  cared  for.  The  officers  of  the 
Medical  Department  of  die  different  regiments  deserve  much 
credit  for  their  promptness  in  attending  to  the  wounded. 

A  party  of  Stand  Watie'e  Regiment  of  Cherokees,  num- 
bering three  hundred,  under  the  command  of  the  Colonel,  al- 
though under  my  orders,  came  up  just  as  the  battle  termin- 
ated. This  regiment  had  been  ordered  to  join  me  from  its 
station  on  the  <  irandKiver.  It  was  no  fault  of  its  commander 
that  it  did  not  reach  us  sooner.  Every  effort,  on  his  part, 
was  made  in  order  to  reach  us  in  time. 


144 

At  early  dawn,  on  the  day  after  the  battle,  .1  again  left 
camp  in  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy.  After  a  hot  pursuit, 
of  twenty-five  miles,  we  overtook  two  wagons,  which  were 
captured  and  burnt.  At  this  moment,  sharp  firing  was 
heard  upon  the  left,  and  a  messenger  came  from  Colonel 
Stand  Watie,  with  a  report  that  he  was  engaged  with  the 
enemy. 

I  immediately  moved  in  the  direction,  and,  upon  our  ar- 
rival, I  ascertained  that  Colonel  Watie  had  overtaken  a 
number  of  the  enemy,  and  had  gallantly  charged  them. 
Major  Bendinot,  commanding  the  left  flank  of  the  regiment, 
had  rushed  into  a  ravine  and  driven  the  enemy  from  it.  In 
the  skirmish  fifteen  (15)  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  a 
number  of  women  and  children  taken. 

Throughout  our  rapid  march,  sometimes  on  ground  covered 
with  snow,  and  at  others  facing  the  chilly  blasts  from  the 
North,  the  greatest  enthusiasm  prevailed  in  anticipation  of 
the  coming  struggle,  and,  at  all  times  during  the  march,  and 
on  the  battle  field  every  officer  and  soldier  of  the  brigade 
nobly  did  his  duty,  and  it  is  with  heartfelt  pride,  that  I 
bring  them  to  the  notice  of  the  Department. 

The  charge,  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  was 
splendid.  None  more  gallant  was  ever  made.  Individual 
acts  of  daring  and  hand  to  hand  encounters  were  of  frequent 
occurrence  during  the  day,  but  it  would  be  impossible  to 
enumerate  them.  I,  therefore,  refer  the  Department  to  the 
reports  of  regimental  and  detachment  commanders,  herewith 
transmitted. 

To  Captain  Elstner,  of  the  2d  Regiment  Arkansas  Mount- 
ed Riflemen,  who  acted  as  Brigade  Quartermaster  and  Com- 
missary, my  thanks  are  due  for  the  efficient  and  able  manner 
in  which  he  conducted  the  affairs  of  his  Department. 

To  my  "  personal  staff  "  I  am  indebted  for  much  valuable 
service.  Both  Mr.  Frank  C.  Armstrong  and  Mr.  James  S. 
Vann,  my  volunteer  Aids-de-Camp,  went  gallantly  into  the 
fight,  and  bore  themselves  with  great  coolness  and  courage. 

Lieutenant  G.  A.  Johnston,  the  Acting  Assistant  Adju- 
tant General,  was  also  active  and  efficient  in  carrying  vari- 
ous orders,  and  deserves  great  credit  for  his  coolness 
during  the  battle. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General, 

Very   respectfully,  your  obd't  servant, 
(Signed,)  JAMES  MclNTOSH, 

Colonel  Cornd'g  Division. 
(Official.)  John  Withers,  A.  A.   G. 


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